Hey,
I don't have a Motif, but you hit on a key point:
PROGRAMMING
To get the most out of this thing, you will have to learn how to program it a little. If it comes with a software editor, you should load it onto your machine and see all that Yamaha power under the hood. If it doesn't come with one, check to see if Sound Diver makes a driver for it.
This is the case with most synths, you have to really dig into it to get the most of it. Even the Triton requires that you sit and learn its operating system a little to take advantage of all the juice there.
Yamaha has been making awesome synths for a very very long time now, longer than most of us have been alive. I'm 100% confident that the Motif is a beast waiting to be unleashed, all it takes is a little patience and trial and error, you'll be glad you did.
Take care,
Nick