2003 Ducati Superbike 999S Owners Manual - Page 138

E 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. Once released, the lever will spring back to its original position. 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 to second gear, close the throttle to slow down engine, disengage the clutch right away, 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 lugging the engine and stressing 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. Warning Use both brake lever and pedal for effective braking. Using only one of the brakes will give you less braking power. Never use brake controls harshly or violently or you may lock the wheels and lose control of the motorcycle. When riding in the rain or on slippery surfaces, braking will become less effective. Always use the brakes very gently and carefully when riding under these conditions. Any sudden manoeuvres may lead to loss of control. When tackling long, high-gradient downhill road tracts, shift down gears to use engine braking. Apply one brake at a time and use brakes sparingly. Keeping the brakes applied all the time would cause the friction material to overheat and reduce braking power dangerously. Underinflated or overinflated tyres reduce braking efficiency and may affect safe riding and motorcycle good handling while turning. 48