Using the 'diagnostic' connector on the back of the Kawasaki ZX-10R, you can now connect directly to the motorcycle quickly and easily.
There's a common misconception in motor sport that data logging will always be prohibitively expensive. This view seems to widely held, particularly amongst bike racers. Actually this is a bit of a myth and isn't necessarily true.
Go Racing Developments was started by owner Mark Sadler in 2003. The company specialises in the construction and development of all aspects of on or off road racing motorcycles. Mark originally trained in the aerospace industry, but was obliged to pursue his other passion for motorcycles following the downturn in the aircraft industry. He started working for Alfs Motorcycles in West Sussex and was instrumental in helping them win the KRC Motorcycle Racing Endurance Championship. Mark then worked for Ricardo where he specialised in prototype manufacturing and assembly. His final destination before establishing Go Racing Developments was working with Tom Walkinsham (of the Orange Arrows F1 team) in Indy Car technology in the race engine arm of the business. Mark specialises in preparing race bikes for meetings and for this he relies heavily on data acquisition systems like the 2D system. Datron was fortunate to catch up with Mark earlier this week and talk to him about data logging, the 2D system and what the future holds for his company and Datron.
Every successful working business relationship relies on trust, co-operation and a pooling of either resources or expertise. Not all these relationships are guaranteed to be a success, but when the elements gel together well, they can prove to be particularly effective and mutually beneficial. Datron Technology has been in such a working relationship with Oxford Technical Solutions (OxTS) for over 10 years now, and the relationship continues to go from strength to strength. So, what makes this working partnership such a success? What were the mutual advantages and benefits that the two companies identified, and how does the relationship work in practice? We managed to catch up with Brendan Watts, Director of OxTS earlier this week and asked him for his opinions on the matter. In the first of this two part interview, Brendan discusses how the relationship first began and how it functions in practice, and in part two he talks about how he sees the relationship developing in the coming months and years.
There can be no doubt that riding a motorcycle can be a thrilling experience. However, with speed also comes risk. That unfortunately is the problem of riding on only two wheels. Accidents do happen, and because of the nature of motorcycles these accidents can be especially nasty. Of course motorcycle leathers can offer some protection to the rider. However, the key to surviving any high speed bike crash lies in protecting and cushioning impacts to the upper torso and neck. Engineers and scientists believed that the solution to the problem lay in using the type of airbag technology found in cars: unfortunately, the cost, bulk and the practicality of incorporating airbag technology into motorcycle clothing presented their own set of problems.
Bruce Dunn, a bike tester and journalist for Motorcycle News and Performance Bike has been in the industry for many years and certainly knows a thing or two about data logging. He's worked with other competing systems over the last decade or so, and understands and appreciates better than most, the qualities that make certain systems better than others. In the second and final part of his interview, Bruce tells Datron how the superb aftercare and support offered to customers by the staff at Datron give it the edge over the rest of the competition and all about his new venture to use 2D for performance testing on track days to demonstrate its potential to new and inexperienced motorcyclists.
If you ever need to gather information about motorcycle testing and data logging, then the best person to speak to is a professional tester. Datron Technology Ltd has been fortunate enough to have worked alongside Bruce Dunn for many years now and value his opinion highly. Bruce is a motorcycle tester and journalist, working for some of the most respected newspapers and magazines in the industry, notably Motorcycle News, Performance Bike and Bike magazine. He's tried a variety of data loggers throughout his career, but has learned from experience that only the best equipment can deliver reliability, ease of use and ongoing support. That's why he's an advocate of the 2D data logging system supplied by Datron. We were fortunate to manage to catch up with Bruce recently. Over the course of the next couple of articles he'll tell us his view of the 2D system, and why he rates it so highly.
In the final part of our interview with Bob Gray, the bike tester, journalist and data engineer explains why he thinks it's crucial that newcomers to data logging should never be afraid to ask even the most basic questions, why he thinks thorough customer research is vital before purchasing equipment and what special qualities make the Datron 2D system the best motor cycle data logging system available today.
Bob Gray, a bike tester and journalist, currently working for MSS Colchester Kawasaki, knows a thing or two about data logging. He's worked with many competing systems over the last decade, and understands better than most what makes some systems better than others. In the second part of his interview, Bob tells Datron what he believes makes the 2D system unique, and what gives it the edge over the rest of the competition.
You'll never know the advantages of using a data logging system like the 2D system Datron offer unless you've ever used it in a competitive environment. Only then will you be in a position to speak with authority about its benefits and special capabilities. One man who knows a thing or two about data logging and the 2D system is Bob Gray, a bike tester and journalist who's written for a number of British bike magazines. Bob is currently working as the data engineer for the Kawasaki BSB team (MSS Colchester Kawasaki). We managed to catch up with him at Brands Hatch during testing. Over the course of a few articles he'll tell us his view of the 2D system, why he rates it so highly, and will finally put to bed once and for all some of the myths and misconceptions that surround data logging systems.
Tim, the 2008 & 2009 British GP125 ACU Academy Cup Champion, competes for Team Twister in the ultra-competitive 2011 Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship on his Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R. Like many in the modern era, Tim started his racing journey via mini-motos in his native Scotland, gaining the Scottish Championship at the tender age of 12. He then moved on to 125s the following year and dominated the Melville Motor Club F125 and the East Midlands Racing Association F125 championships. Three years in the British GP125 Championship then saw Tim achieve sixth place in the 2007 Academy Cup following by two successive Academy Cup titles in 2008 and 2009 - a double that no other rider has ever achieved. In those two years, Tim amassed an impressive 9 Championship and 17 Cup podiums, and became one of the most talked about new talents in the BSB paddock. Tim's 2010 debut season on the 600 saw him score points at both Snetterton and Silverstone and qualify as high as 10th place on the third row of the grid for the Brands Hatch GP race.
One of the benefits of working for a company like Datron Technology is that we often get the chance to get out and about and meet our clients. We did this last week when we met up with a racing team that competes in the World Touring Car (WTC) series.
Success in Formula 1 racing is determined by the smallest of margins. A split second shaved off a lap time, wheel traction and speed through the corners are all critical factors that decide who'll eventually sit on top of the podium. Since the FIA standardised the specification of F1 cars this has become even more crucial.
All Formula 1 Teams, some LMP Teams, Tyre Manufacturers and anyone who needs accurate body velocity and slip angle choose to use the CORREVIT Optical Sensor. Although there have been advances in GPS technology it still has not come close to replacing the optical sensor in terms of accuracy or response.
Datron Technology is pleased to be able to offer the VEYPOR Digital Dash, Data Logger & Performance Meter for under £350.00 complete and ready to go.
Fuel Funny Car Drag Racing is one of the world's most extreme motorsports.Datron supplied an ISAAC Instruments data recorder and sensors to the Shockwave Funny Car Racing Team to measure engine and drivetrain parameters during their quarter-mile races.Sensors were easily installed by the team mechanics to measure Engine RPM,Driveline RPM,Clutch movement,Fuel Pressure,Oil Pressure,Supercharger absolute pressure and all eight exhaust gas temperatures.The ISAAC V-7 PRO data recorder which incorporates 4MB of memory and a dual-axis accelerometer was fitted into a purpose made aluminium box together with a very small 12 volt acid-gel battery to power the system.The Isaac Set-up & Analysis software enables simple recorder configuration and download of race data.This provides valuable information to the team about engine performance and condition allowing changes in tune to be made with confidence and possible problems to be identified.It is possible to extend the Isaac system to add even more sensors as the team requires so throttle position,fuel flow,etc,etc can also be recorded.