- Octane Carbon

First Impressions
Released in April 2017, the Motiv Octane Carbon expands the popular Octane series with a model sporting an extremely technical "Stealth" look. The ball comes in a dark Gunmetal/Black Pearl finish, complemented by the patented NeoMark graphics. Technically, the ball is driven by the proven symmetrical Injector core. This core is specifically designed for a late reaction and, at 15 pounds, shows a high RG value of 2.56 along with a moderate differential of 0.042. These numbers mean the ball is reluctant to rotate early and instead generates a great deal of length. The cover is the Agitator MXR Pearl reactive surface. This particular chemical blend was developed to create a stronger backend reaction compared to earlier Octane models. Out of the box, the ball carries a 5500 grit LSP (Laser Scan Polished) finish, which guarantees a mirror-smooth surface for minimal resistance through the front part of the lane.
Comparison Compared directly to the original Motiv Octane, which laid the groundwork for this series, the Octane Carbon offers an even quicker and sharper response to friction thanks to the new Agitator MXR shell. Where the old Octane could occasionally feel a bit "mushy" in the backend when too much oil was carried down, the Carbon bites more aggressively. Set against the legendary Motiv Venom Shock, the two balls are like night and day: the Venom Shock (low RG, solid) rolls early and rounded, while the Octane Carbon (high RG, pearl) skids extremely long and turns the corner sharply. Bring in a competitor like the Storm Hy-Road Pearl and both occupy a similar niche for medium to dry lanes. Because of the 5500 finish, however, the Octane Carbon often looks a touch cleaner through the heads and offers a slightly more defined tip at the breakpoint, while the Hy-Road Pearl describes a somewhat rounder curve.
On the Lanes The Motiv Octane Carbon is an absolute weapon for light to medium oil conditions and dry lanes. It shows its greatest strength once the front part of the lane (the heads) has burned up and stronger balls start hooking too early. Thanks to the high RG value, the ball completely ignores the missing friction in the heads and stores its energy until the end of the pattern. It works excellently if you are forced to move deep inside and play a lot of angle, since the ball changes direction very quickly at the breakpoint and maximizes the entry angle into the pocket. It is also ideal if you have lower ball speed, because it does not die out early but instead provides enough length to reach the pins with full power. On fresh oil or heavy volume, though, it is nearly unplayable, since the smooth surface and the sluggish core would simply let it slide straight.