2005 Ducati Superbike 999R Owners Manual - Page 143

E Moving off 1) Disengage the clutch by 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 lever, shortly speed up to help gears synchronize, shift down and release the clutch. The controls should be used correctly and promptly: 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. 50