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

Quote from: Vindingo on August 01, 2009, 08:28:20 AM

Using your thumb is just so pedestrian.

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    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.

Quote from: ducnymph on August 02, 2009, 02:56:39 AM
I must have trust issues with the neutral light because I always pull my clutch lever in when starting my bike!

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.... 

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

Quote from: Vindingo on August 01, 2009, 08:28:20 AM
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

why do you have to leave

Quote from: petemg on August 02, 2009, 08:59:41 AM
why can't I quit you

Quote from: ducnymph on August 02, 2009, 02:56:39 AM
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    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   

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.

Quote from: Michael Moore on August 02, 2009, 04:05:44 PM
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?