The 6th annual gathering of the " European Warriors " this year, took place from the 23rd to 25th of July at the "Villa Löwenherz" in Lauenförde. The European Warriors are a small community, dedicated, to the unique Yamaha Roadstar Warrior XV 1700. This extraordinary power-cruiser with 1670cc - 135 n/m and stock 86 hp at it’s 5000 rpm rev limiter, was sold in the years from 2003 until 2005, and only 500 or so were sold in Germany. From those only a few remain, but the Warrior addiction for tuning and modification grows, and the community is always eager to investigate the latest work and meet in friendship.
Since the first Warrior-Meeting in 2005 the number of owners at the meetings has increased considerably, and is still rising. Since last year numerous guests have arrived from other European countries with 30 gathering this year. Among them - 4 Warriors from England, with ‘Jarv’ from Southern Ireland with Caledonian Warrior ‘Gav’ from Scotland, and ‘Zalama’ from Finland, who all braved very long rides to
set a new record this year.
To our greatest pleasure, our English Warriors ‘Tomba’ and ‘Jools’ were so enthusiastic about their 1st meeting last year, that they persuaded Tomba’s 2 sons to buy Warriors. and they all came along to this meeting, and the ‘boys’ enjoyed there first big ride out of England. Another great surprise was ‘Zalama’ who came to the meeting with friends, and afterwards they went on a bigger tour through Europe. Likewise, Jools headed off, yet again, into deepest Europe for weeks of touring. The Warrior was never designed to be a touring bike, but it does it so very well.
The Villa "Löwenherz" = Lion-heart in Lauenförde - a known Biker hotel, has good accommodation and the facilities are very suitable, with really good and abundant buffet style food.
Unfortunately there was a minor issue with the landlady, soon after our arrival about the noise some of our modified Warriors made, but during the course of the meeting the problem was happily resolved. Another minor disadvantage was our large group could not reserve seating together for the meals in the lovely Beer garden, as about 100 other bikers also stayed for that weekend. So for our next meeting to be held in Switzerland, from 22nd to 24th July 2011, we will ensure that there are no neighbours to complain about the lovely thunder of Warrior exhaust pipes. On the other hand we were very pleased by the interest the other bikers took in our Warriors. A lady with a BMW earnestly believed that the Warriors were uncomfortable, and not suited to travel longer distances. Very amused we pointed out our guests from other countries, especially ‘Zalama’, who rode about 900 km from the ferry in Gdansk/Poland to the meeting, and not forgetting ‘Gav’ and ‘Jarv’ who rode all the way through England to get to the Dover ferry, totalling over 3200 km in the saddle.
The sortie on the Saturday rolled 200 km through the beautiful landscape around Lauenförde, and was greatly enjoyed with big smiles all day by everyone, especially on the ferry crossing. The deep thunder of 30 Warriors amazed the people of the towns and villages as we passed slowly in formation. Almost all participants have already confirmed they want to be with us again for 2011 in Switzerland.
