35

Português

After returning to Brazil I remained a short period of time without having a motorcycle until I bought the Honda CBX 200 cc. With this bike I rode 12.000 km, mainly on roads between Goiania and Caldas Novas. This is a good bike, the engine produces a good output (torque and performance), excelent autonomy and it is comfortable to travel with.

In reality, I observed that this is a transition model, a slight upgrade in the many 125 cc and 180 cc launched by Honda during the nineties in Brazil.  This is a motorcycle that came to the market until Honda could develop a completely new bike from scratch - the Honda CBX 250 Twister a.k.a. Honda CBF 250 that was unveiled in 2001 in Brazil.  That's what I think now in 2007.

My third motorcycle in the nineties is a Honda C 100 Dream, this bike in reality is classified as a scooter motorcycle, but in spite of that I have been ignoring that insistently, and I have been riding it as a motorcycle de facto. With it I rode 47.800 km (being 35.810 km on roads) during 46 months, mainly doing the traject  Goiania - Caldas Novas; as well as travelling extensively to my dad's farm that is located at the district of Hidrolandia -GO. To cover this route I use to drive approximately 164 km each way, from which 26 km each way are ridden on gravel road (here I have been riding my Dream as a trail bike, or close to that; and my "little beauty" hasn't deceived me so far).

Some facts deserve to be highlighted in this decade (the 90s): the event Goiania Moto Show during the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 drew huge crowds to the Goiania International Autodrome.   We hope that this become true again this year of 1999.  Another fact deserving to be mentioned is the wonderful performance of the racing drivers representing our State of Goias, at the Brazilian Honda CB 500 Formula Championship, sponsored by Honda factory lately.

* This number plate (AI 666) was carefully chosen by me; some years later the State Transit Department ( Detran - GO) made a general vehicle registration recall and I had my number plate altered to VD 366.

A different and up-to-date motorcycle: Honda Magna 750 cc.

Ricardo C. da Rocha Lima
May 1999.

Some hints for motorcycle travelling in Brazil:

In order to travel properly, and in such a way to enjoy to the full extent your motorcycle and the trip itself, some care and planning should be taken before hitting the road:

• the bike must be ready for the trip - the tyres adequately inflated, the fuel tank topped up, the chain drive lubricated and adjusted, and all electric components working correctly;
• the luggage must be well attached to the bike, and distributed evenly concerning the weight, and in such a way that the space left to the rider allow them a pleasant and comfortable drive.  If carrying a pillion passenger the luggage must be accomodated at each side of the bike and over the fuel tank;

• in the case of luggage over the fuel tank, it shouldn't become a nuisance when refuelling is necessary, due to riding long distances;
• it is prudent and safe to check all the extention cords (elastic cords) holding the luggage from time to time during the trip, as a loose cord end is dangerous and could cause an accident by getting stuck on the chain drive or at the wheel spokes;

• the refuelling stops must be made accordingly to the bike's autonomy, combined with the rider's and pillion's experience and physical strength.  My own experience tells that stretches of 180 km to 200 km are ideal to be ridden between stops;
• when there is a sole rider, which is experienced enough, one could try to ride bigger distances - up to 250 km or even 300 km.  Of course, this is conditioned to the bike's autonomy;
• the above mentioned distances, to be ridden between stops, allow good performance without physical fatigue (we must remember that stops allow us the replenishment of our stamina, and to relieve ourselves as well).

Acting this way the motorcyclist makes a pleasant trip, provided they pay attention to other details, as such:

• the clothes to be worn during the trip must be comfortable yet protective.  In those many years of road trips I could observe that the ideal combination is a good pair of jeans (thick and soft), leather jacket, leather gloves, a good pair of boots, and a soft T-shirt under a comfortable shirt (both 100% cotton).  When the temperature becomes too hot it is wise to take out the shirt, keeping only the T-shirt under the leather jacket.;
• the leather jacket and the leather gloves are ideally suited for providing us the best protection, regarding the sun rays, coming insects or debris from the road and in an eventual fall if such event happens at all;
• it is wise to accomodate in the luggage, on the outmost spots, different combinations of cloth pieces in order to wear them if a sudden variation in the weather occurs.

I have noticed that many motorcyclists prefer to use outfits like those used in competitions, to travel with.  Despite the excelent protection provided they aren't comfortable for long distance trips.  We still prefer the above combination we mentioned before (jeans + leather jacket); or even a combination of leather trousers + leather jacket.  It is worth mentioning that new materials like GORE-TEX® give us many options nowadays.

Another very important aspect is related to the food to be consumed during the trip, the importance of this item is directly proportional to the distance to be ridden:

• breakfast should be complete and with a good variety of items (bread, fruit, yoghurt, milk, juice, etc.);
• one shouldn't have the intake of soft drinks and savories during the trip, prefer to get natural food when hungry;
• at lunch time do get a proper lunch, and rest after having it for about one hour.  Go for a full meal at lunch only if there is no other option;
• try to rest at a nice shade between midday and two o'clock in the afternoon; during this time try to check luggage and bike (tyres pressure, chain drive, lights, etc.), and plan the continuation of the trip in the afternoon, while awaiting the tempetature to drop a little.

Divide the day in two unequal parts. During the morning allow for a bigger drive, because during this period the weather generally is nicer, you certainly is more energetic, the bike's engine performs better, etc.  The ideal would be to drive by approximately six hours - from dusk to noon.  Think in a resting period of two hours, and plan to drive for about four more hours in the afternoon.  Avoid to drive at night, as well as to drive very early in the morning.

On different occasions I left Curitiba-PR at 04:30 hs in the morning heading towards Goiania-GO (1.270 km distance), and I observed that this is a time when all attention and care is necessary because of: the truck drivers prefer to begin a trip by this hour, the buses leave their garages and hit the streets with full fuel tanks (usually spilling diesel at the curves), loose animals - as horses for instance - that slept in empty spaces and lots begin to return to their place, and sometimes cross the road in front of us.  All facts mentioned above and those we didn't mention cause us to face unexpected dangers, for wich we must be prepared all the time.  Many events can suddenly happen, and we become aware of them as the years spent on the road riding a motorcycle go by.

Another relevant aspect is related to the summer rains.  In almost all Brazilian regions those rains fall mainly in the afternoon, therefore be prepared to them when travelling by motorcycle.  This is why is so important to make the most of the morning period in order to cover your daily distances.

Try to ride always wearing dry clothes, so as soon as you notice that rain is coming put on your rain outfit and pay more attention on the road.

Allow extra time to reach your destination, and always drive safely.  Remember that the first rains in the season turn the tarmac (asphalt) slippery (oil, sand and other elements deposited over the road surface tend to be washed off by the first summer rains).

Try to find a safe place to spend the night, in such a way that you park your motorcycle safely while you are sleeping.  Many petrol stations have B & B facilities.  It is better choosing those places to stay for the night instead of going to hotels in the outskirts or suburbs of the big cities.

It is wise to get further information about the road conditions from the truck drivers or even from the Federal Road Police, respectively at the petrol stations and at the police stations along the road.

In all my trips I always had in mind the above mentioned details, and this proved very useful indeed.