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- Down to business, honey!
- She moves superbly
- Champagne in the tank, coffee in the stomach
- That perfect machine, that stubborn friend
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Because it’s love.
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A day with Suzie.
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A day with Suzie.
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And even as a vegetarian would eat a hearty roast beef as if it were the best food in the world.
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One I would build ramps for to sit in front of the fireplace with.
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With which one likes to move around the houses, although it will always remain a project.
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A day with Suzie.
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A day with Suzie.
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A day with Suzie.
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Adventure short trip with Suzie: …
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… handy companion in city traffic, …
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… adored object of desire when pausing.
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Stylish friend shopping for clothes, …
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And then the dynamic driving experience on the country road. Airflow, sound, handling, power delivery – everything fits.
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Real affection and deep connection: only the most expensive fuel for my baby.
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The music is playing outside in the street. Werner’s Suzie wants to be fast here, accelerate fully, brake hard. Anna needs a little more time.
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This stubborn friend, as I’ve already found her in human form, but always looked for as a two-wheeler.
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A day with the Suzuki GS 400 Scracer
Down to business, honey!
One day is short. But not too short for an unforgettable trip. Not too short for what is actually impossible: finding a friend for life. One on two wheels. Not too short to fall in love and kidnap the beautiful. Outside on the street.
E.t’s a special morning: the thermometer on the pharmacy display opposite shows a pleasant four degrees Celsius, the sky is overcast, the meteorologists have announced rain. Ideal for the first date. Choke in, push the button. At the push of a button, two spark plugs willingly flicker. James Hetfield, front man for Metallica, imaginary steps onto the stage to the cheers of the crowd. Air filters sip fresh air like the Mallorcan party crowd sangria from meter-long straws. Two polo horns vie for the best sound. But it is not the flashing pots that are responsible for the heavy metal din, but the thick self-made manifold.
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A day with the Suzuki GS 400 Scracer
Down to business, honey!
A vehicle that is friend and foe at the same time
The Werners is the most beautiful motorcycle in the world. To me. There are personalities that you meet and it just booms! That was the case with this Suzuki GS 400, built in 1978. So far, my search has always been not for the perfect motorcycle, but for a vehicle that is both friend and foe at the same time. Bitchy, moody, but always there for you when it matters. Not a machine that starts at the push of a button, but decides arbitrarily whether it suits you. Or maybe not. An honest friend for men, a real friend for girls. One that cannot be bought, but can only be found after a long search. If you even meet them. Optics, engine, manufacturer – it doesn’t matter. But it should fit like a tailored suit.
In autumn 2010 this “suit” suddenly appeared in front of me. In the underground car park. The owner was MOTORRAD veteran Werner Koch. That’s why the beautiful woman was called Werner’s for me. Because she was just Werner’s. I wanted to buy it right away. Undangered. But in love. Werner, however, was hesitant. Now, after more than 46 months of waiting, we finally got the confirmation for the final meeting. It was said that one (s) would be able to part with the vehicle. What felt like a nanosecond later I was standing next to my dream motorcycle. Now I’m finally sitting on it and driving. Out into the wide world.
She moves superbly
When the fuel drum is suddenly empty, pushing is the order of the day.
27 HP from 398 cm³ are enough, the rest of the machine no longer corresponds at all to the sales contract that the glorious first buyer signed in 1978. Modified chassis geometry, fine tuning of the fork such as the shock absorber and the thinning out of various unnecessary parts brought the Werners to new life. While its builder focuses on good handling and driving dynamics, for me the look and sound have to be right. I am passionate. We reach the old Solitude race track near Stuttgart.
Yesterday still home to major car and motorcycle races, today the location of the popular Glemseck 101 event. Frenzy is not in. You want, I don’t. You can, I can’t. After extensive conversion, it is made for dynamic driving. I, on the other hand, think: Do not do anything wrong, do not torture, do not fall under any circumstances. She is the daredevil, I am the apostle of reason. It’s new to me, but enjoyment is the order of the day anyway. Save energy. Warmth brings joy, excitement. And sometimes, unfortunately, the pushing too.
Because the fuel drum is suddenly empty. Occurs without display. So comfortably push to the gas station, two kilometers on foot with your new old friend on both hands. And, how could it be otherwise: It pushes itself perfectly. The stub handlebar from the shallows of a 20-year-old collection by the builder not only provides good handling with willing power delivery, but even without the engine running. We get along wonderfully. The comments from the passing vehicles are clearly ambiguous. Woman and vehicle! Hand-crafted cliches stand out behind the windows of well-heated cars. It is now seven degrees Celsius, plus physical exertion makes 20 a comfortable temperature. The Conti Go diagonal tires roll as if at 7 bar pressure. The water from above is so thin that a rain jacket is hardly worth it.
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On the move with the Suzuki GS 400
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Champagne in the tank, coffee in the stomach
Of course, there is only the finest fuel available. Champagne in the tank, coffee in the stomach. I know immediately where to go next. In his worst nightmare, Werner would never have thought of going shopping with her, but what does that care??
30 minutes later: Which dress goes best with the moped is only possible when you take a general look at what is on offer. Flaming Star understands this. My – and now our – favorite shop. The only evil: the damn main stand! Without help I can’t get the Werners hoisted up. It’s frustrating. The assortment is assessed while seated – on the saddle, a specially built, steel and fiberglass seat roll. Anyway, the best place is on your back anyway. After a shopping spree through the graffiti park, it’s easy to walk at walking pace. You can paint here – and even in the presence of a two-wheeled friend. I spray a heart in matte black. My Suzie acknowledges the action with an empty battery. Didn’t go down that well. Women.
What now? Push again? Unfortunately, the train drivers are also on strike. Alcohol and celebrations out of frustration can unfortunately only be linked on foot. It’s five kilometers to home, if you push what feels like ten. We get along. Because it starts again after a short dribble sprint. The debate follows three kilometers further in a dead-quiet industrial area. Your low budget headlights sparkle in my brown eyes. Baby, I want to give you so much: a warm place by the open fireplace, seven and a bottle of polish that has already been started, at least 98 octane, evenings for two, full attention, new spark plugs … The lantern shines on the floor contaminated with broken glass and dirt. So what is you wanna come to me? Yes, Werner’s Suzie will – at least that’s what the battery voltage suddenly indicates. And now we’re going.
That perfect machine, that stubborn friend
When you get home, your favorite blanket nestles around the tank, saddle and self-made rear end. I provide them with my first cuddly toy, a mouse named Horst (name was changed by the editorial team for data protection reasons).
7.46 p.m. It is quiet, the crackling of chrome pots and pans creates a fireplace atmosphere. It is precisely in front of this that I would like to park the Werners, sink into a comfortable armchair and make plans for the future together. Like best friends do.
Therefore: Dear Werner, please sell me this motorcycle. This perfect machine that isn’t. This stubborn friend, as I’ve already found her in human form, but always looked for as a two-wheeler. With which one likes to move around the houses, although it will always remain a project. One I would build ramps for to sit in front of the fireplace with. And even as a vegetarian would eat a hearty roast beef as if it were the best food in the world. Because it’s love.
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