Ducati DESERTX, Owner'S Manual

Page: 95 / 332

Braking
Slow down in time, shift down to use engine brake
and then brake by operating both front and rear
brakes. Pull the clutch before the motorcycle stops
to avoid engine from suddenly stalling.
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Using the brakes correctly under adverse conditions
is the hardest – and yet the most critical - skill to
master for a rider. Braking is one of the most difficult
and dangerous moments when riding a two wheeled
motorcycle: the possibility of falling or having an
accident during this difficult moment is statistically
higher than any other moment. 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 motorcycle
braking power to the fullest possible amount in
emergency braking or under poor pavement or
adverse weather conditions.
ABS uses hydraulics and electronics to limit pressure
in the brake circuit when a special sensor mounted to
the wheel informs the electronic control unit that
the wheel is about to lock up.
This avoids wheel lockup and preserves traction.
Pressure is raised back up immediately and the
control unit keeps controlling the brake until the risk
of a lockup disappears. Normally, the rider will
perceive ABS operation as a harder feel or a
pulsation of the brake lever and pedal.
The front and rear brakes do not use separate control
systems: the ABS on this bike provides for a
combined braking action that connects the rear
brake system to the front one when the rider uses
only the front brake. The contrary is not true: the rear
brake control will not affect the front brake.
If desired, the system can be deactivated from the
instrument panel, setting the level to OFF within the
Riding Mode for which you wish to disable it.
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