2005 Ducati SportTouring ST4s ABS Owners Manual - Page 169

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 synchronise, 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 vehicles braking force to the fullest possible amount in emergency braking or under poor pavement or adverse weather conditions. E 59