I had a spirited ride a few days ago where a friend taught me some advanced cornering techniques, and he sent me a link to the video "A Twist of the Wrist II" which is all about advanced techniques concerning throttle control, cornering, and recovery. I'm not too modest to admit that I'm a quick study, and some of the techniques I learned may very well have saved me from a fall today.

Coming home from work in moderate drizzle to light rain, the road surface is pretty well coated but since it's been raining on and off for the last few days I figured there's no oil left and have been riding pretty much as I always ride. I've been on the bike for several years and now no longer own a car, and though I've never taken any class but the beginner's licensing course I do consider myself an advanced rider with above average skill.
Well, I had my first experience with front end wash out.

One of the final roads I take to get home at about the 45 minute mark of my commute is a frontage road along a quarry. I'm cold, a little damp, my shield is pretty hard to see through, and I just picked up some enchilada soup and a sammy from Potbelly so I'm rearing to get home! I approach a 90° turn going probably too fast, and I think I may have been holding the front brake still when I committed to the turn. I've been practicing a new downshifting technique where I hold the brake but let my fingers slide on it while blipping the throttle with my thumb, may have been the cause of me holding too long.
About at the full lean point of the turn the bars just go "swoosh!" off to the left!
At this point all I could think about (aside from "OH @#&% !") was the part from the video where they talk about front end washout while turning and what to do. If I remember correctly the video said "Take control by doing nothing and let the bike correct itself," or something to that effect, and also added you want to roll on the throttle easily. I did just that, I loosened up on the bars and let the front wheel go where it wanted, and I added a slight throttle roll on, and almost instantly the bars returned to normal and the bike tracked naturally. That was it. No severe wobble, it wasn't a sketchy save, it was very mild now that I'm looking back on it (though I did scream like a little girl!), a lot like having understeer in a car but the solution wasn't the same.

Honestly, it was such a minor event it's almost not worth mentioning, but I thought my experience would help other riders especially those who haven't ridden rain yet or are worried about riding in the rain.
It's not so bad. Your bike has a surprising amount of traction in the wet, just don't hot-dog the throttle or the brakes and relax. This is literally the closest I've ever come to wiping out (aside from traffic incidents, but I won't go there now), and it wasn't even a big deal.
Just know your limits, and for your own sake take an advanced class or go to a track day with an instructor or something if you haven't already!  I'm planning on an advanced technique course sometime this month. 
The skills they'll teach you are invaluable.

Getting used to the tires sliding around is unnerving at first. I'm still getting used to those small front pushes and rear drifts. I still specifically remember the very first turn I ever scrubbed the front in. It scarred me poopless 

In the rain probably isn't the best time to be practicing new techniques 

"Total Control" and "Sport Riding Techniques" are both really good books that are a bit more street specific, as opposed to Code's track guide. All of them will offer something different towards you developing your own riding style.

I've locked up and spun the rear more times than I can count on my fingers, and it's totally just a "whatever" kind of experience at this point.  But the front was a new one for me.


I'll look into those books.  Having ridden for several years already I do have my own particular style and have come up with my own (or what I think are my own) techniques, but I am always open minded about new information.

Nice recovery book/vid says to do EXACTLY the opposite of what your body is telling you to do. ( in the o sh*t moment) yet you did it we want to avoid you joining the broken bones club if at all possible lol

Too bad I couldn't save myself two weeks ago.  Was no opportunity to correct, just slid out both wheels at once...

Nothin serious.

aye it blows. just if you MUST break something make sure its the bike and not your bones. other guy who wiped out broke is fib up high.. he was LUCKY. he will heal. myself broke both ankles in my home. both are not uniting.. i will deal with the effects of my injuries for life. rage he will fell it for a while but he is young and healthy.  this i doubt will have any permanent effects on his body. i say this  semi seriously. if you HAVE to break or damage something, break the bike. it can be fixed. our GSs are durable little bastages. our bodies however with age recovery slows. ( in my case to a crawl/halted)I had a decal on my bike and car that said "Never drive/ride faster than your guardian angel can fly" ( will put this on my gs trike project) just glad we dont have a huge broken bones club., Both of mine and ragecage23, there might be a couple more. but thank god its a rarity. i guess because we collectively are reserved riders and drivers. ride safe all. btw anyone know of anybody whos wrecked a 400ex quad? i need the swingarm off of one. not now but in near future id say. anyone know the ballpark on those? ( without wheels and tires)
Aaron
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