Ducati Monster Forum

In the last 6m I've witnessed three Ducati owners start their bikes without pulling in the clutch.  Am I missing something here?  I thought using the clutch took a strain off of the starter motor.  The part that kills me is the use of the index finger.  Yes, much like activating a doorbell, these folks are extending their index finger and I think I saw one of these "1/2 a man" lift his left foot at the same time. 

If the bike is in neutral you don't need to pull in the clutch. 

Index finger usage is in the secret manual, guess you didn't get the memo.  Using your thumb is just so pedestrian.

It's a Ducati, show some friggin' class

That and it's way harder to keep your pinky extended.

I have a special pair of white gloves that I don for the occasion.  I keep them in a little lace-lined basket that hangs off the clip-ons. 

How gauche!  We don't discuss such things in mixed company, you peasant.

I normally stomp on my starter with boots as if I were turning the engine over myself.

The only time I use the clutch to start the bike is when I am walking it while its running. basically maneuvering the bike underpower while I am not on it.

I normally just start it in Neutral and let it warm up for a while.

I must have trust issues with the neutral light because I always pull my clutch lever in when starting my bike! I've had my bikes jump from not actually being in neutral in the past  :o  Maybe it was an old beater thing and I haven't stopped that habit even though I've moved on to newer bikes.

I'm a thumber on the starter all the way. The pointer just wouldn't feel right   ???

I engage the clutch every time I start the bike. Many years ago I had parked in front of a bar, and when I returned and went to start it up the bike lurched forward and fell to the ground. :-[ I heard from a friend that someone had been sitting on the bike. Maybe they had knocked it into first; maybe I had forgot to put it in neutral (unlikely but possible); who knows? After that, I feel it is better safe than sorry and engage the clutch before starting.

I'll see your trust issues and raise you to compulsive. I check for the neutral light, then gently rock the bike back and forth a bit just to make sure it's really in neutral, and then I also pull in the clutch lever.  You know, just in case....  [roll] [laugh]

Index finger? How gauche. I use a special ivory implement. From Italy. Carved by virgin Italian nuns. At dawn.

why do you have to leave :(

Amen. (That's +1 for you heathens. )

Once a bike slips out of neutral and ghostrides across the parking lot crashing into a wall when you hit the start button with your nose picking finger, you may want to start it with the clutch pulled in as well as the brake lever while sitting on it like you have a pair and intend to ride. punks.

 

Well, since my neutral light is busted and stays on all the time, if I don't pull in the clutch I've got a good chance of getting launched, or at least having my footpegs surgically implanted into the backs of my calves.

This is on the Streetfighter, right?

Nope, I haven't broken anything on the SF yet.  ;)  It's the Monster that has the busted light. At least when the Monster lurches, I have a prayer of recovering. If I did that on the SF I'd be in the next county.

you're all heathens

i upgraded my starter button so i only need blow it a kiss.  depress the clutch lever?  i think not, i want my levers to remain very happy.

Let me add that all three of these folks were standing next to their bikes while activating the starter.  The first was a guy selling an '08 Sportclassic 1000 with under 400 miles on it because, "I live in the City with a lot of traffic, and this is an air-cooled bike." [clap]  The second was a guy who couldn't get his brand new 1100S Monster started.  He had no idea what he was doing and yes i helped him out (for the bike's sake).
The third was a sweet little morning flower with a Sportcalssic 1000 at the back door of the Dainese shop.  Aware that he had an audience, he was standing on the left side of the bike facing backwards.  Using his right foot and right hand, he found neutral.  Then he turned to the bike, produced his mighty index finger, and you know the rest.  If things didn't go well, it would have ghost ridden strait through the glass doors of the shop.  Is this possible or is there an electronic lock out?  My M900 was made in '99 with carbs... 

Newbs have to learn somehow.

Ah, the old Ducati-false-neutral-lesson. Good times, good times...

It likely wouldn't have ghost ridden.  It probably would have jumped forward and fell over.  That said, I'd pay admission to see someone unintentionally put a bike through a giant pane of glass with only their index finger.  That'd be awesome.   [thumbsup]

+1.  As long as no major and/or permanent human damage is incurred, I'm more than happy to see a little destruction at the hands of the inept and clueless.   [cheeky]

I have to use clutch because my rear sets make finding neutral almost impossible on the 675.

As neglected as my monster is everything works like a champion. It can sit for months and will start no problem. I mostly Neutral start cause I've never had the false neutral light.

change your avatar.  its is out of control

This is the PG version.

there is nothing PG about that creature

Do your bikes not have a disable switch that would prevent it from doing anything if it was in gear?

I don't really worry about it because I have my servant "James" follow me around in the car to do the starting for me. Hes always complaining about the lack of a starter lockout on the clutch or something.

Yeah, that guy's a whiner. I fired his ass a long time ago.

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [clap]

It's threads like these that keep me coming back here.