Moving Off; Braking - Ducati SUPERBIKE 1098 Tricolore Use And Maintenance Manual

Moving off

1) Disengage the clutch by squeezing the clutch lever.
2) Push down the gearchange lever firmly with the tip of your
foot to engage first gear.
3) Raise the engine revs by turning the throttle twistgrip
while gradually releasing the clutch lever. The motorcycle
will start moving.
4) Release the clutch lever completely and accelerate.
5) To change up to the next gear, close the throttle to reduce
the engine revs, disengage the clutch, lift the gearchange
lever and release the clutch lever.
To change down, proceed as follows: release the twistgrip,
disengage the clutch, briefly rev the engine to allow the
gears to synchronize, shift down and release the clutch lever.
Use the controls intelligently and opportunely: when riding
uphill, do not hesitate to shift down as soon as the motorcycle
starts to slow down, so you will avoid overloading the engine
and putting too much strain on the the motorcycle generally.
Important
Avoid sudden acceleration, as this may lead to
misfiring and transmission snatching. The clutch lever should
not be held in longer than necessary after a gear is engaged,
otherwise friction parts may overheat and wear out.

Braking

Slow down in time, change down to use the engine brake,
then apply both brakes. Pull in the clutch lever before the
motorcycle comes to a stop to prevent the engine stalling.
Warning
Use both the brake lever and the brake pedal for
effective braking. Using only one of the brakes will give
you less braking power.
Never use the brake controls harshly or suddenly as you
may lock the wheels and lose control of the motorcycle.
When riding in the rain or on slippery surfaces, braking
capacity is significantly reduced. Always use the brakes
very gently and carefully when riding under these conditions.
Any sudden manoeuvres may lead to loss of control. When
riding down long, steep downhill slopes, change down to
use engine braking. Apply the brakes intermittently for brief
periods only. Keeping the brakes applied continuously
causes the friction material to overheat and dangerously
reduces braking effectiveness. Under-inflated or over-
inflated tyres reduce braking efficiency and may adversely
affect safe riding and road-holding on bends.
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