Radical Outer Limits Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5" x 30 degrees

RG: 2.51"

Differential: .051"

M/b: .014"

Surface: 2000 Sia Air

Core shape: Asymmetric

Manufacturer's Intent: The Outer Limits has a new core concept designed to enhance backend motion and has the continuation expected from Radical balls. This asymmetrical core features an RG of 2.499, a differential of 0.051, and an intermediate differential of 0.014. These core numbers were developed using a new method to help determine and predict ball motion. By the response from Radical’s testers, they hit this one out of the park. The Outer Limits is wrapped with the incredible HK22 – HyperKinetic Hybrid, which is a new chemical compound made available through the hard work of their chemists and is a whole new ball game when it comes to cover stocks.

I went with a slightly different pin up layout than the one you'll normally see in these reviews. Instead of using a 5 1/2" pin distance to my positive axis point, I shortened it up to 5" with the Outer Limits, hoping to see a little more track flare out of the ball. I also lowered the VAL angle to 30 degrees. Both changes were geared toward trying to see a little more movement out of the ball. Over the season, I've been noticing that the hand is getting slower at times, and the timing simply isn't there. I was looking for a little more help out of the ball by using this layout. I'm not sure if it was layout or ball, but I certainly got that on the lanes.

Outer Limits is a bunch of backend movement with the new HK22 cover on it. This ball really motors down lane through everything I've thrown it on so far. Like most 2000 grit sanded covers for me, it was a touch early and a little slow for 6-8 shots, but once it got some oil on it this ball became magnificent. Outer Limits is definitely earlier hooking than the Widow 2.0 Hybrid I have in my bag right now. It's also considerably longer than the Innovator Solid I just drilled up (review coming soon). Outer Limits seems to fit nicely in the middle of these two balls so far in all of the right ways: length, backend, and total hook.

I also found this to be one of the best "strong" asymmetric balls I've thrown in quite a while for my specific game. I don't usually get a lot of use out of balls like these due to my lower axis rotation. Typically, I'll see the ball roll up in the early mid-lane and then just kind of bail through the backend. Outer Limits has none of that when I've thrown it. Just when I think the ball isn't going to make it on a questionable shot, it keeps on coming. It's also fairly good at misses left so far. I've bowled on a fairly big wet/dry night at Olathe East with this piece, and it still tried to roll up when pulled into the oil. It just blends patterns really well for a very strong piece.

I've not made any surface changes on this ball yet, and don't even anticipate trying one. It simply rolls too good to risk changing it with something else. I'll just continue to use Clean N' Dull on this after I finish, and will occasionally re-touch the surface with 2000 Sia Air as needed.

Outer Limits comes in a really beautiful blue/lavender/black combination. The pink logos on the ball really pop as well. They'll be available March 23rd at Total Bowling Gear.