Bruce Dunn – that’s why I use the 2D system part 2

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.

Did you find the transition to the 2D system difficult and was help and support on hand when you needed it?
"I've known John Grist for years. When we first started testing bikes this way, we used Microsat equipment. When we moved onto the 2D system, I told John I wasn't really that keen on the standard software provided and asked if that was a problem. John said if you weren't completely happy with the software and needed something changing, he'd sort it out. The beauty of the 2D software is that it allows adaption to a wide range of applications."

"I was surprised at this and didn't really expect such a level of aftercare, but Datron were quite happy to tweak the software for my needs, because I needed a more sophisticated performance measuring system. They asked me for a list of what I wanted and went away and tweaked a piece of bespoke software specifically to meet these needs. It's alright having all this equipment, but if you do encounter a problem or have an issue, you need to know that you've got the support to back this up. This is ‘key' as far as I'm concerned. Alex and John at Datron have been great and are always ready to offer support at both events and during normal office hours."

What about the plans to use 2D for performance testing on track days and club races?
"I'm looking to start offering speed testing at track days and club races for anyone who might be interested in getting accurate speed testing done. The aim is to offers riders an affordable way of finding out what they're doing, and where they might be able to make improvements to their riding. I'm quite an experienced rider myself, and have raced at every level; club racing, national, European and even a Grand Prix 250cc wildcard entry in 2004 for being the top British rider at the time. I'm also involved in all the performance testing for Motorcycle News, Performance Bikes and Bike magazines. So I understand things from a rider's point of view and know what type of things they encounter when riding a bike."

"The testing's aimed predominantly at club riders who are learning their way. Experienced riders and those at the top end of the sport already have systems in place for performance testing. But there's a gap there for track days, novices and restricted club riders to learn about their riding techniques and abilities and discover some of the ways in which they might improve these. I can easily fix the equipment to the bikes in a matter of minutes and run a quick software check, and then they're off on the circuit. Because I know what I'm doing I can provide them with lap time readouts, in-line G, lateral G, lean angle and how they're braking on the circuit, and reference these measurements against the data I already picked up about the circuits over the years."

"Obviously we're not trying to turn them into a Rossi overnight, but it should prove helpful and will act as a measurement. It should be good for both Datron and me: I can offer my services to those who might wish to use them and I can also demonstrate what the 2D system can do: that could prove to be useful for John and Datron, as these riders might turn out to be potential customers."

Anyone wanting to take advantage of Bruce's new track day and club racing testing services should contact Bruce via Datron Technology: info@datrontechnology.co.uk