Ducati 996 User manual

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DUCATI748/996
Owner’s manual

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Hearty welcome among Ducati fans! Please accept our
best compliments for choosing a Ducati motorcycle. We
think you will ride your Ducati motorcycle for long
journeys as well as short daily trips. Ducati Motor s.p.a
wishes you smooth and enjoyable riding.
We are steadily doing our best to improve our “Technical
Assistance” service. For this reason, we recommend you
to strictly follow the indications given in this manual,
especially for motorcycle running-in. In this way, your
Ducati motorbike will surely give you unforgettable
emotions.
For any servicing or suggestions you might need, please
contact our authorized service centres.
Enjoy your ride!
Ducati Motor S.p.A. declines any liability whatsoever for
any mistakes incurred in drawing up this manual. The
information contained herein is valid at the time of going
to print. Ducati Motor S.p.A. reserves the right to make
any changes required by the future development of the
above-mentioned products.
For your safety, as well as to preserve the warranty,
reliability and worth of your motorcycle, use original
Ducati spare parts only.
Warning
This manual forms an integral part of the
motorcycle and - if a transfer of title occurs - must always
be handed over to the new owner.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
General 6
Warranty 6
Symbols 6
Useful information for safe riding 7
Carrying the max load allowed 8
Identification data 9
Controls 10
Position of motorcycle controls 10
Instrument panel 11
Keys 12
Ignition switch and steering lock 12
Left switch 13
Clutch lever 14
Cold start button 14
Right switch 15
Throttle twistgrip 15
Front brake lever 15
Rear brake pedal 16
Gear change pedal 16
Main components and devices 17
Location 17
Tank filler plug 18
Seat catch and helmet hook 19
Side stand 21
Steering damper 22
Front fork adjusters 22
Rear shock absorber adjusters 24
Changing motorcycle track alignement 25
Directions for use 26
Running-in recommendations 26
Pre-ride checks 28
Starting the engine 29
Moving off 31
Braking 31
Stopping the motorcycle 32
Parking 32
Refueling 33
Maintenance 34
Tool kit and accessories 34
Routine maintenance 35
Main maintenance operations 38
Removing the fairing 38
Cleaning and changing air filters 40
Checking the coolant level 41
Checking brake and clutch fluid level 42
Checking brake pads for wear 43
Lubricating cables and joints 43
Throttle cable adjustment 44
Checking battery electrolyte level 44

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Charging the battery 45
Adjusting headstock angle 46
Chain tension inspection 47
Chain lubrication 47
Replacing bulbs 48
Beam setting 51
Tubeless Tyres 52
Checking engine oil level 53
Cleaning and replacing the spark plugs 54
Cleaning the motorcycle 55
Storing the bike away 56
Important notes 56
Technical data 57
Overall dimensions 57
Weights 57
Top-ups 58
Engine 59
Timing system 59
Performance data 60
Spark plugs 60
Brakes 60
Transmission 61
Frame 62
Wheels 62
Tyres 63
Suspensions 63
Electric system 64
For United States of America version only 68
Routine maintenance record 78

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GENERAL
Warranty
In your own interest, and in order to guarantee product
reliability, you are strongly advised to refer to a Ducati
Dealer or Authorized Workshop for any servicing
requiring particular technical expertise. Our highly skilled
staff have access to the implements required to perform
any servicing job at best, using Ducati original spare parts
only as the best guarantee for full interchangeability,
smooth running and long life.
All Ducati motorcycles come with a “Warranty Card”.
However, warranty does not apply to the motorcycles
used in competitions. No motorcycle part may be
tampered with, altered, or replaced with parts other than
original Ducati spare parts during the warranty period, or
the warranty will be automatically invalidated.
Symbols
Ducati Motor S.p.A. advises you to read this manual
carefully so as to become familiar with your motorcycle.
In case of any doubts, please call a Ducati Dealer or
Authorized Workshop. The information contained herein
will prove useful on your trips - and Ducati Motor S.p.A.
wishes you smooth, enjoyable riding - and will help you
keep the performance of your motorcycle unchanged for
a long time.
Warning
Failure to comply with these instructions may put
you at risk and lead to severe injury or death.
Important
Possibility of damaging the motorcycle and/or its
components.
Note
Additional information concerning the job being
carried out.
The terms right and left are referred to the motorcycle
viewed from the riding position.

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Useful information for safe riding
Warning
Read this section before riding your motorcycle.
Accidents are frequently due to inexperience. Always
make sure you have your licence with you when riding;
you need a valid licence to be entitled to ride your
motorcycle.
Do not lend your motorcycle to inexperienced riders or
who do not hold a valid licence.
Both rider and pillion passenger must always wear a
safety helmet.
Wear proper clothing, with no loose items or accessories
that may become tangled in the controls or limit your
zone of vision.
Never start or run the engine indoors. Exhaust gases are
poisonous and may lead to loss of consciousness or even
death within a short time.
Both rider and pillion passenger should keep their feet on
the footpegs when the motorcycle is in motion.
Always hold the handlebars firmly with both hands so
you will be ready for sudden changes of direction or in
the road surface. The pillion passenger should always
hold on to the suitable belt on the rear seat with both
hands.
Ride within the law and observe national and local rules.
Always respect speed limits where these are posted.
However, always adjust your speed to the visibility, road
and traffic conditions you are riding in.
Always signal your intention to turn or pull to the next
lane in good time using the suitable turn indicators.
Be sure you are clearly visible and do not ride within the
blind spot of vehicles ahead.
Be very careful when tackling road junctions, or when
riding in the areas near exits from private grounds, car
parks or on slip roads to access motorways.
Always turn off the engine when refueling.
Be extremely careful not to spill gasoline on the engine
or on the exhaust pipe when refueling.
Do not smoke when refueling.
While refueling, you may inhale noxious gasoline vapors.
Should any gasoline drops be spilled on your skin or
clothing, immediately wash with soap and water and
change your clothing.
Always remove the key when you leave your motorcycle
unattended.
The engine, exhaust pipes, and mufflers stay hot for a
long time.
Park your motorcycle where no one is likely to hit it and
use the side stand.
Never park on uneven or soft ground or your motorcycle
may fall over.

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Carrying the maximum load allowed
Your motorcycle is designed for long-distance riding,
carrying the maximum load allowed in full safety.
Even weight distribution is critical to preserving safety
features and avoiding trouble when performing sudden
manoeuvres or riding on bumpy roads.
Information about carrying capacity
The total weight of the motorcycle in running order
including rider, pillion passenger, luggage and additional
accessories should not exceed 375 Kg/827 lb.
Arrange your luggage or heavy accessories in the lowest
possible position and close to motorcycle centre.
Be sure to secure the luggage to the supports provided
on the motorcycle as firmly as possible. Improperly
secured luggage may affect stability.
Never fix bulky or heavy objects to the handlebar or to
the front mud guard as this would affect stability and
cause danger.
Do not insert any objects you may need to carry into the
gaps of the frame as these may foul moving parts.
Make sure the tyres are inflated to the proper pressure
indicated at page 52 and that they are in good condition.

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Identification data
All Ducati motorcycles have two identification numbers,
for frame (fig. 1.1) and engine (fig. 1.2).
Frame number
Engine number
Note
These numbers identify the motorcycle model and
are required when ordering spare parts.
fig. 1.2
fig. 1.1

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CONTROLS
Warning
This section details the position and function of all
the controls you need to drive your motorcycle. Be sure
to read this information carefully before you use the
controls.
Position of motorcycle controls (fig. 2)
1) Instrument panel.
2) Key-operated ignition switch and steering lock.
3) Left switch.
4) Clutch lever.
5) Cold start button.
6) Right switch.
7) Throttle twistgrip.
8) Front brake lever.
9) Gear change pedal.
10) Rear brake pedal.
fig. 2
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