Moving Off; Braking; Abs System - Ducati ST4s Owner's Manual

Moving off

1) Disengage the clutch squeezing the control lever.
2) Push down on gear change lever sharply with the tip
of your foot to engage the first gear.
3) Speed up engine, by turning the throttle twistgrip and
slightly releasing the clutch lever at the same time. The
motorcycle will start moving off.
4) Let go of clutch lever and speed up.
5) To shift up, close the throttle to slow down engine,
disengage the clutch, lift the gear change lever and let go
of clutch lever.
To shift down, release the twistgrip, pull the clutch
control lever, shortly speed up to help gears synchronize,
shift down and release the clutch.
The controls should be used correctly and timely: when
riding uphill do not hesitate to shift down as soon as the
motorcycle tends to slow down, so you will avoid
stressing the engine and the motorcycle abnormally.
Important
Avoid harsh accelerations, as this may lead to
misfiring and transmission snatching. The clutch lever
should not be pulled longer than necessary after gear is
engaged, or friction parts may overheat and wear out.

Braking

Slow down in time, shift down to engine-brake first and
then brake applying both brakes. Pull the clutch lever
before stopping the motorcycle, to avoid sudden engine
stop.
ABS system (ST4s ABS)
Using the brakes correctly under adverse conditions is
the hardest – and yet the most critical - skill to master for
a rider. Statistically, the risk of a fall or an accident is
highest during braking. A locked front wheel leads to loss
of traction and stability, resulting in loss of control.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) has been developed
to enable riders to use the vehicle's braking force to the
fullest possible amount in emergency braking or under
poor pavement or adverse weather conditions.
ABS uses hydraulics and electronics to limit pressure in
the brake circuit when a special sensor mounted to the
wheel signals the electronic control unit that the wheel is
about to lock up. This avoids wheel lockup and preserves
traction.
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