Brazil: Monstrous Metropolis to Waterfall Wonder Photo Story

Touring Brazil by motorcycle for nearly three months was an unforgettable experience. After visiting a variety of towns along the coast, it was time for a break in beach town Arraial do Cabo. Next on the agenda: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Curitiba. My riding partner, Lia, and I left the dusty, sandy roads behind, exchanging them for six-lane highways. With exactly 6,000 miles on the counter, we rode in to Rio and found ourselves back in modern-day Brazil. Before leaving the country we rode Southern Brazil’s stunning mountain road Serra do Rio do Rastro and traveled to Foz do Iguazu to see the waterfall wonder Iguazu Falls.

Rio My-Oh-Me-Oh

Rio has a lot to offer in sightseeing, culture, and nightlife. Of course, we visited the 124-foot-tall statue of Jesus, we attended a football match at the Maracanã Stadium (one of the largest in the world), and we walked across the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.

Motorcycles & Gear

2016 KTM 690 Enduro R’s

Helmets: KTM Schuberth C3 Pro
Jackets: Lindstrands Qurizo Lady
Pants: Lindstrands Blaze Lady
Boots: Lindstrands Champ
Gloves: Lindstrands Dolomit
Luggage: Ortlieb Rack-Pack 89L

The disadvantage of Brazil is that the roads are generally too good. The asphalt is perfect and you pay a toll for it. A six-lane highway is not the best way to cover distances on the KTMs, but it is the fastest. The highway section from Rio to São Paulo is overwhelmingly beautiful. Like a line of ants, we rode over high bridges and through countless tunnels in the gigantic, forested mountains.