So I know I am in the storm section. Being that i own 6 storm balls. But does anyone feel like storm is starting to losing some ground? More and more I am starting to see Motiv around everywhere. This weekend i felt like i was the only one throwing storm in an entire house. Now dont get me wrong i love storm and my next purchase will be timeless or a Code Red but i just want to get some opinions out there and see if anyone is noticing the same.

I don't think the Match Solid is a dud, just not a typical Storm ball and  it is lower end.

I did.  Not a fan LOL.  The market is tough because like has been said, people think they want things they don't want or should want, or they don't know how to explain it.  Tons of people say they want a lot of hook when they mean they want backend, which are two different things. 

Storm's problem right now is overhyping stuff that ends up sucking, so you get all this attention and then the ball just isn't good.  The Phaze and Timeless come to mind.  Now I liked both of my Phazes that I had, and few people know about the 2nd batches and on that were really extremely epic, but the first batch Phaze wasn't what most people want in a ball.  Timeless is a super niche ball, but then you have truly great releases like the Rocket Ship and Torrent that don't get any attention at all.  Does anyone even know the Torrent exists?  And seriously, Hyroad?  Hyroad Pearl?  Marvel Pearl?  The Codes?  These are monster releases that other companies have tried to copy for years and yet the Hyroad is still the GOAT 

I think Storm does release too many balls.  People will buy them all and they wouldn't release so many if it wasn't good for business, but it's too hard to keep up.  I like Roto's schedule better. 

Roto stays outside the box constantly and puts out really solid stuff every time, but they're not Storm.  Storm either makes really safe stuff or tries to get too far outside the box, and it's a mixed bag.  They both discontinued truly great light oil balls in the Ride and Hectic, but they have to play that production game, if it's not getting numbers, they aren't going to offer it because the plants run full tilt constantly trying to keep up with the popular stuff, small batches can't be a thing.  And who is really making a great TRUE light oil or dry lane ball right now?  Nobody is because they're catch 22s.  Making a good light oil ball is the hardest thing on the market to do, the balance is so touchy, and then they usually don't end up selling that well. 

I think the companies need to ditch the "innovation" angle, because there's only so many things you can do with the physics.  There's stuff they know that works, and there's stuff that doesn't.  Keep refreshing the selection, there IS a lot of variation you can still have, and again, it's supposed to be fun.  People rarely NEED new bowling balls, they're just fun to drill, so why does everything have to be "new and better?"  I think Storm is just trying too hard right now, need to go back to the well.  Just do what works.  I don't like everything that comes out, but I'm still perfectly happy where I'm at, I'll be with them as long as they'll have me. 

The Timeless is much maligned here. FYI, a lady bowler (really good) shot 797 with a 14 lb. Timeless at our Sweepers in the Reno Bowling Stadium. So, maybe you should try owning and throwing one to see for yourself.

The Torrent is the classic definition of sleeper ball. Just has a moderate motion, can be used on mediums, and seems very predictable. So that ball will be discontinued soon. Who wants predictable when you can have skid snap??

I really don't think most people even know it exists.  It came out with the Timeless and got zero attention, and here it ends up being this legitimate super blue collar ball that just works on everything it seems like, and yeah, probably will be discontinued before long.  Would be a travesty though.  I think it does what the IQ Tour does but better.

 
Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner....

ok, Ill stick my nose in. I think with the IQ Tour/Hyroad and the lead that Storm/Roto has, they've decided to experiment and create niche reactions to try and corner different portions of the market that aren't even being attempted.

Example, they are releasing, I believe, the first ever Asym Urethane. Most balls that are duds have been well marketed so the sales are there to support even though the ball doesn't roll particularly well. And for every dud, they come back with a better version of said ball. They came out with the Phaze and then they release the Phaze 2 with a much better response off the friction and better motion off the friction. They release the Daredevil which for me only good playing up the lane in the oil and burned in the friction then release the Trick which is a much better motion and more forgiving.

Other companies are just catching up with better midrange and lower end stuff. I don't think storm is necessarily losing their touch. That being said all I really like to throw are Hyroads Matches and IQ Tours lol so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Ill throw any company but no one has come out with motions like those IMO except Brunswick now with the Magnitude .035. They needed that IQ Tour like ball in the line up plus a strong Symmetrical to bridge the gap from all the Asyms to the lower and mid syms.

Assym urethane?? Seismic Desperado!!

what?...... lol jk I said I believe. my ball knowledge is vast but not definite

Where ya been right???

Been engulfed in life, working the shop not bowling as much but trying get more and more back into bowling myself. Plus sometimes ya get bored LOL.