First Impressions
The Storm Pro-Motion presents itself as an elegantly designed ball in an attractive blue color scheme with the characteristic Belmo logos. Developed as part of the collaboration between Storm and Jason Belmonte, it carries the Belmo logo on the right side and impresses with its clean, single-color look. Technically, the Pro-Motion is based on the SPEC Solid Reactive coverstock already used on the Crux Prime, and it comes out of the box with a 2000 Abralon surface. At its heart is the new symmetrical Piston core with an RG value of 2.52 inches and a total differential of 0.049 inches, which produces roughly five inches of track flare in oil. SPEC stands for Storm Performance Enhanced Coverstock and, according to the manufacturer, should provide resistance to friction and oil.
Comparison
The ball's character is often compared to an IQ Tour Solid on steroids, with the Pro-Motion showing similar ball motion at higher oil volumes and on longer patterns. The motion shape is reminiscent of the Storm Phaze II, but with more roll in the backend. In terms of strength, the Pro-Motion sits between the weaker Storm IQ Tour and the more aggressive Storm Phaze II. In a direct comparison, it shows Phaze II-like behavior in the heads with a backend that recalls the Storm Hy-Road. Its performance through the heads differs clearly from other Storm/Roto Grip balls with a 2000 surface, since the Pro-Motion travels much more easily through the front part of the lane, which can be attributed to the moderate symmetrical core compared to typical asymmetrical high-performance cores.
On the Lanes
The Pro-Motion comes into its own on heavy oil patterns, where all testers observed a big, sweeping arc, while the 2000 Abralon factory finish handled longer patterns and higher oil volumes without trouble. The ball is especially suited to medium to high oil volumes and longer patterns, but it also delivers controllable and predictable performance on house shots. With the Pro-Motion you get predictable midlane traction followed by a hard transitional move through the pins, made possible by the strong but controlled transition from oil to dry. The ball's trustworthiness shows in the fact that it never slides through the breakpoint and reliably makes the turn, though with a strong hooking action both in the midlane and in the backend. Its versatility lets you play a variety of angles, and its predictability and controllability also give you subtle warning signs as the lanes transition.