Help - 998S FE first gear

I've just purchased a 998S Final Edition having never owned a Duke
before . (I had ridden several though).
I've noticed first gear is very long and I need to slip the clutch - is
this normal. Also, on slipping the clutch slightly I hear/feel a sort
of grinding noise - is that normal. The bike is still being run in - I
am on 1000 miles.

Tony

tonym182.DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
> I've just purchased a 998S Final Edition having never owned a Duke
> before . (I had ridden several though).
> I've noticed first gear is very long and I need to slip the clutch - is
> this normal. Also, on slipping the clutch slightly I hear/feel a sort
> of grinding noise - is that normal. The bike is still being run in - I
> am on 1000 miles.

1) Ducatis, esp. those homologated for racing, have tall first
gears. With the 998, you should eventually get used to
controlling the throttle so you don't need to slip the clutch
too much. On my 749, in hilly San Francisco, I resorted to
changing the rear sprocket from a 39T to a 42T. I sometimes
now look for 7th gear on the freeway.

2) The Ducati models with dry clutches make all kinds of disturbing
sounds. It's normal. It's noisy in neutral, and makes a
tinkling sound as you engage the clutch. An open clutch
cover makes it even louder.

--
"Well," Brahma said, "even after ten thousand explanations, a fool is no
wiser, but an intelligent man requires only two thousand five hundred."
- The Mahabharata

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