I grew up in a family where motorcycles had been part of everyday life for years.
My grandfather used to own a Zündapp KS50. He would put a wooden crate full of fish on it and ride from village to village trying to make a living. When my brother and I were young, he would take us for short rides around the neighborhood. Those rides with Grandpa are some of my earliest and fondest memories of motorcycles.
Eventually, Zündapp went out of business, and finding parts for the old KS50 became almost impossible. My grandfather replaced it with a Piaggio scooter, which stayed with him until he passed away.
His son, my late uncle, also loved motorcycles. When he was in high school, he used to ride off-road bikes. There is even an old photograph of me sitting on his bike when I was only a couple of months old. The motorcycle is stationary, of course, with my mother holding me on the seat. Looking back at that photograph now, it feels like motorcycles were somehow part of my life before I was even old enough to know what they were.
Over the years, our family also owned some more serious machines, including super-sport models such as the Honda CBR and Kawasaki ZXR.
But it was that old Zündapp KS50 that really left its mark on me. Its round headlight, simple shape and unmistakable retro character gave me a love for classic-looking motorcycles that has never really gone away. As I grew older, I found myself naturally drawn toward scramblers, cafe racers and other naked motorcycles with simple, timeless designs.
I started riding on small motorcycles, cubs and scooters. When I was 24, I was saving money to get my A license and buy my first proper motorcycle. I had even found a Honda CB500 that I was planning to buy.
Unfortunately, that summer things took an unexpected turn.
I had an accident while rappelling from a cliff and seriously injured my right knee. I underwent two surgeries and spent around ten months doing physiotherapy to get back into shape.
So instead of buying my first motorcycle, I bought my first car.
But I never managed to get rid of the motorcycle bug.
Fast-forward to 2025, and I finally got my motorcycle license and bought my first bike.
My current motorcycle is a 125cc scrambler-style bike, and I really like it. It is inexpensive to maintain and run, and fuel consumption is excellent at around 2.1 liters per 100 km. With a 16-litre fuel tank, it also has an impressive range for such a small motorcycle.
I have already taken it on several trips to destinations around one to one and a half hours from home. It is certainly not the ideal motorcycle for highways, but once you understand its limitations, you can adapt your riding to them.
I have also taken it camping.
With a small motorcycle, you quickly learn that you cannot carry everything you might want. Minimalism and keeping things simple become part of the adventure. You have to think carefully about what you really need, pack efficiently and make the most of the space you have.
And honestly, I enjoy that part of it.
The Next Chapter: Honda GB350S
For my next motorcycle, I want to move up to something around 350cc, and there is one bike in particular that has caught my attention: the Honda GB350S.
I fell in love with this motorcycle when it came out. When I eventually had the chance to ride one at a local dealership, it confirmed what I already suspected: this bike is almost exactly what I am looking for.
It is not a high-capacity motorcycle, and that is precisely why I like it.
I don’t need a huge engine or massive performance figures. I want something simple, reliable, economical and enjoyable to ride. Something that can comfortably reach 100 km/h without working as hard as my current 125cc, while still retaining the character and simplicity that attracted me to motorcycling in the first place.
And, of course, there is the styling.
The GB350S has that classic look that reminds me of the motorcycles I grew up around. In many ways, it takes me back to that old Zündapp KS50 and the feeling I had when I first started appreciating motorcycles.
But I don’t intend to leave the Honda completely stock.
I see the GB350S as a canvas for a project.
My plan is to gradually transform it into something closer to a scrambler, adding things such as more suitable tires, a skid plate and other practical modifications while keeping the bike’s original character intact.
This will not be about building the fastest or most extreme motorcycle.
It will be about building my motorcycle.
And that is going to be the next chapter of this blog.
You’ll get to see the project happen here, from the first modifications to the final result—and, of course, all the adventures along the way.
And you can be part of this journey too.
If you enjoy the stories, rides, adventures and the GB350S project, you can support the blog in any way you like. Subscribe, follow along, share the posts with fellow riders, or, if you wish, make a donation to help keep the blog going and support future rides and projects.
Every bit of support is greatly appreciated. After all, this isn’t just about one motorcycle—it’s about the people, memories, roads and adventures that come with it.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
