Maybe the excitement comes from the fact that I only got my motorcycle license in September, but one thing is certain: I couldn’t let 2025 end without riding a few kilometers on two wheels. On the wrong side of the road, for the first time outside Romania.

My original plan was to take my BMW F 800 GS down to southern Greece, into Peloponnese. But after a week of phone calls and emails, I realized it was basically Mission Impossible to find a camper van with a tow hitch (or a large enough garage) to rent in Romania. I didn’t feel like staying in overpriced hotels (if we went by car with a trailer), and the rainy weather forecast almost made me give up entirely.

Being as ambitious as I am, I eventually found a warm, budget-friendly alternative: Cyprus.
The compromise? My GS stayed home (hibernating at Automobile Bavaria), and I had to rent a motorcycle — an excessively expensive desire, no matter where you go.

Because my height and lack of experience don’t exactly work in my favor, my main criteria was seat height: anything under 800 mm. That’s how I ended up spending two days with the sport-tourer you see in the photos, a Honda CBF 600.
Lovely machine. We got along very well over those two days. Even lovelier were the owners of Anemayia Rental in Larnaca — a Greek gentleman and his Romanian wife, incredibly warm and helpful, from route recommendations to airport transfers and even finding Florin a good rental car (I’m not taking passengers yet, and he’s planning to get his full A license only later this year). They also rent newer bikes, including the BMW 310 GS and Kawasaki Versys, in case you’re planning your own trip.

I couldn’t help but laugh: 2025 wanted to leave exactly the way it had been all year — on its own terms, not mine.
December 31st turned out to be the only rainy day of the week in Cyprus… and, of course, the first of my two rental days.

Stubborn as always, I went riding anyway after noon, once the rain stopped, taking the exact road the rental owner had warned me about because “no one really uses it.”
Google Maps showed a narrow, twisty mountain road with good asphalt — what could possibly go wrong?

The road climbed toward Pano Lefkara village and it was indeed perfect for riding, with stunning landscapes I would’ve filmed if I hadn’t forgotten my GoPro at home. The asphalt was drying nicely, but ahead of us more dark clouds were gathering. Two hairpins before reaching the village at the top of the mountain, a massive downpour started. We barely had time to park — I left the bike right on the street, at the entrance of the Christmas market pedestrian area — and I hid under a roof edge.

Panicking, I put on my rain layers that Florin brought from the car, even though I was already soaked, while he laughed because he could see the clouds breaking apart.
Five minutes later: full sunshine again.

January 1st, 2026 was much better: sunny, warm, but with 40 km/h wind.
We rode to Limassol, had great coffee on the promenade, then climbed back into the mountains, riding through olive and orange groves.
In total, a little over 300 km — a perfect energy boost for the new year.

I loved testing another motorcycle and gaining more experience on two wheels, even though I did wonder why I can’t just have a normal, relaxing vacation, something basic, like a spa hotel.
To be fair, the Honda CBF 600 was about 13 years old, so it’s not really comparable to my 2025 BMW F 800 GS. Still, once again, I congratulated myself for buying a new, full-option bike. Call me picky or spoiled, I don’t care — I missed all the little things that make riding easier: auto-canceling indicators, quick shifter, wider foot pegs, heated and protected grips, CarPlay navigation.

I’m nowhere near experienced enough to do proper motorcycle reviews, but as a beginner I can say I loved how the Honda delivered power and how manageable it felt in tight corners. That said, the short steering instantly reminded me of the CBR 600 I crashed during moto school — pure horror — and the main reason I’m not attracted to sport bikes or anything with a sporty attitude. I had to ride it to reconfirm my preferences for now

This trip forced me to apply everything I learned in defensive riding training: head up, feet correctly on the pegs, preventive mindset — especially important since in Cyprus they drive on the opposite side.
At one point, in a steep and narrow hairpin, I looked at the guardrail for a split second and honestly thought I wouldn’t make it. Then I repeated the mantra: turn your head where you want the bike to go — and I made it (Cheers, Mr. Băcilă!).

Oh — and of course, full gear, always. After so many years in a racing suit, I don’t know any other way, regardless of the weather, even if it means flying low-cost with a single backpack. As they say… I wore my most expensive jacket on New Year’s Eve.