Motiv Forge Flare Bowling Ball Features:
The Forge Flare is the latest hook monster from Motiv. This new release shares the same symmetrical Detonator core design with the Forge and Forge Fire. The difference comes in the new Coercion MXC Solid Reactive coverstock, which is finished at 2000 grit LSS. This is advertised as Motiv’s strongest solid cover, and it comes out of the box rough enough to handle the heaviest of oils.
The Forge Flare brings the heat with solid reactive technology unlike anything ever seen before in the MOTIV line! Designed for use on medium-heavy oil conditions, it provides unparalleled traction in the front of the lane, without sacrificing down lane reaction.
The ability of the Forge Flare to shape so easily in higher oil volumes is possible because of new Coercion MXC (MaXimum Continuation) Solid Reactive cover stock. It is strongest solid shell ever created by MOTIV. Most impressive is the continuation from such a strong cover.
The Forge Flare partners this new cover technology with the symmetrical Detonator core, which is utilized to provide a low RG and high differential. The result is a fast revving, strong, and continuous bowling ball with massive track flare potential.
Mike Magolan –
Description: The Forge Flare is the 3rd Forge created by MOTIV. The first was a solid, followed by a hybrid and now another solid. It continues to use the same Detonator Core in all 3 of them. The cover used on the latest installment is the new Coercion MXC Solid Reactive Coverstock. It’s also the 2nd release utilizing 3 colors, which gives it some great shelf appeal. I feel MOTIV has been doing a great job on the aesthetics of the balls lately!
Reaction: I used the original Forge quite frequently on challenging or sport patterns; for me there are better options out there for house conditions. However, the Forge Flare presents something different than the original, as it just flat out hooks more than anything we have. That being said, it still may not be something I personally use on house patterns, but because of how strong and early the Forge Flare is, there are plenty of bowlers out there that always seek the next big hooking ball. I will say this one will lap the field with a lot of other balls out there in terms of total hook. Most will agree when you get into the biggest hooking pieces, they hook so soon and sometimes present the problem that they don’t ever appear to hook again after hooking in the front. This one hooks, hooks again and hooks some more. It’s really nice to have a ball in your arsenal where you feel you’ll always have enough hook when needed. I will also say after having this ball for a month that the surface didn’t wear down quickly; it is taking a long time for it to lane shine. Until you throw this one, you won’t understand how a ball this strong, with that much surface, can continue so much. Once you do though, you will see just how much it’s capable of hooking.
Comparisons: Comparing this ball against the original Forge isn’t even a fair comparison. The Forge Flare outhooks it probably 7+ boards; the Forge Flare is earlier, wants to continue more and is clearly much stronger. The Forge Fire compliments the new Forge Flare, as they are opposites in terms of shape. The Forge Flare would be something you’d like more on a fresh or heavier pattern, with the Forge Fire being a better ball to transition to when you need more length or more shape down lane.
Summary: Those looking to buy hook, look no further. It seems to be pretty driller friendly so far in watching several throw it with many different layouts. You won’t have to pay the high performance price point either as it comes in at just under the top price point in bowling balls. For most, it will be strong, very strong and a very smooth piece when you are seeking some control.
Mike M.
MOTIV | Turbo
Mark Wilson –
Motiv’s new Forge Flare is unlike anything ever seen before in the Motiv line. The Forge Flare is designed to use on medium-heavy oil conditions, it has unreal traction in the front of the lane without taking away down lane reaction.
The Forge Flare shapes easily in higher oil volumes. It is so strong because of our new Coercion MXC (MaXimum Continuation) Solid Reactive cover stock. It is the strongest solid shell Motiv has ever made.
The Forge Flare has the symmetrical Detonator core, which is used to provide a low RG and high differential. The result is a fast revving, strong, and continuous bowling ball with a lot of track flare potential.
Eric –
The Forge Flare features the Detonator Core that was found in the previous 2 Forge releases, the OG Forge and the Forge Fire. The new Forge Flare also features the all new Coercion MXC Solid Reactive cover, which to date, is the strongest cover in our line. It doesn’t matter how much volume is out there, this cover will dig through it. The difference between this and a cover on a stronger core is that the core doesn’t want to get as forward off the friction as some stronger asym cores, which means that even with how strong the cover is, this ball will still create shape down lane. That means that you will be able to have steeper angles through the front, without sacrificing overall hook, or shape down lane. If you’re looking for a ball for heavier volumes, that will allow you to play further inside on longer patterns, this is the ball you need in your bag.
Eric S.
Motiv Staff
D.J. –
What oil?
I have been bowling for 22 years and the Forge Flare is the strongest ball I have ever seen in my entire life. The original Forge was a good ball; the Forge Fire is a staple in my bag along with many other bowlers but the Forge Flare gives you a distinct advantage over anybody who doesn’t have one in their bag. The Detonator core is proven to be great but that core mixed with the Coercion™ MXC Solid Reactive literally created a monster no one has ever seen before. As a bowler on the lower rev rate of the scale, the Forge Flare allows me to play left of people who I am typically an arrow right of. This ball surprised me for 2 reasons, the first was obviously how much it hooked. The second was the fact that it still goes through the pins with how much it hooks. Typically a ball that hooks a lot, will sacrifice some carry but this ball just didn’t. If you want to hook the ball like you never have before or you want to be prepared for any long and heavy oil pattern, you NEED this ball in your bag.
DJ R.
Motiv Staffer
Drew Crain –
The layout I used on the Forge Flare is 60×5 ¼ x65. I have never thrown a stronger symmetrical ball in my life! This ball will win plenty of tournaments. I was already able to find success with this ball, winning a Black Friday 10 game marathon tournament in Georgia. For how early this ball reads the pattern, you can find great continuation through the back part of the lane and through the pins. Most balls, when this early tend to struggle to continue on the back, the Forge Flare does not. When comparing the Forge Flare to other bowling balls, I would have to say the closest thing to it is an Alpha Jackal. Both balls for me see the midlane in about the same area, however where the Alpha Jackal tends to want to go forward, the Forge Flare will continue downlane. To me, this is truly the most unique bowling ball made by Motiv to date.
Drew C.
Motiv Staff
Jason Lettau –
WOW! I’m just blown away by this ball. The new cover absolutely digs in the oil and the ball never ceases to quit. Throwing this ball on heavy oil patterns or fresh house shots, it shines all day long. What also baffles me is this cover does not lane shine fast at all! Very versatile ball for all types of bowlers, whether you are a tweener, or in my case a two-hander.
Jason L.
MOTIV Staff
Anthony Evans –
Where do I start? This has become my absolute favorite ball of all time, hands down. The Forge Flare is the most recent release in the Forge line, MOTIV’s biggest and strongest symmetric ball series. But what makes this ball so crazy special is the brand new Coercion MXC coverstock. The two biggest factors of what makes this cover special is the traction it creates without losing all of its energy through the pins, and how long it takes to lane shine. The coverstock is always the most important part of a ball since it is the only thing connecting the ball to the lane directly. This cover took about two weeks of bowling regularly to actually lane shine. On top of that, I have never had a ball more stable and aggressive in oil. This cover is strong enough I feel like I could make it hook in the oceans. But to top off the amazing parts of this ball, IT NEVER LOSES ENERGY!!! Not only is the Forge Flare the strongest ball I have ever thrown speaking especially on it’s strength in the oil, but for how well it maintains energy through the lane. Generally balls this strong lose energy super early for me and can be close to or completely dead once it gets to the pins, but this one just absolutely never quits. Layout- 50x5x70
Anthony E.- MOTIV Staff Member