Moto raly

Honda CRF 450 Rally
The Japanese giant returned to the Dakar Rally in 2013, when it tried to compete with its enduro motorcycle, the CRF 450X. The Honda riders completed the race, but the single-cylinder engine with Unicam valve control did not perform well enough to win the race. Therefore, since the 2014 edition, the brand has been developing the CRF 450 Rally.

The model features one cylinder engine with liquid cooling, but with double valve control (DOHC). There is even a small radiator exclusive to the oil, which is installed on the strange fairing. "As the temperature is high and the engine is very demanding, it takes the liquid to cool the cylinder and a radiator for the engine oil," reinforces the mechanic Geraldo Lima. The performance is not disclosed, but it is estimated that the CRF 450 Rally produces about 45 kW, approximately 60 hp. Enough to reach speeds greater than 160 km / h - on land!

The Japanese say the 2016 model is the most advanced model ever produced by the brand and is ready to win the race. With aluminum frame and some parts in carbon fiber, the CRF 450 Rally of the Brazilian has the estimated weight in 160 kg, already with the 32 liters of gas required by the organization of the race. For this year, the tires are of the Michelin French, as well as the "mousse". The "mousse" is a kind of rubber that replaces the air on the rally tires and avoids a few holes, but not all.

1234 494OFFROAD DAKAR6 Dakar Rally 2016: motorcycle have even traction control
Even with 32 liters of fuel, CRF 450 Rally is lightweight: it weighs around 160 kg Photo: Arthur Caldeira / Agência INFOMOTO

Another novelty of the Japanese motorcycle is the traction control, developed by Honda Racing Corporation itself. The adoption of the system was only possible because of the installation of the electronic accelerator CRF 450 Rally. "Most riders do not like to use it, so there's the option to turn off the traction control. But it helps save fuel as it decreases the rear wheel slippage; and also saves tires, "explains the head of the HRC team, German Wolfgang Fischer.

Even all this technology and preparation, sometimes, are not enough to beat the imponderable in a rally like the Dakar. The Brazilian Jean Azevedo suffered a heavy fall the day after our visit, in the stretch between Carlos Paz and Termas do Rio Hondo. Although not severely injured, the rear tanks of his motorcycle, which carried about 20 liters of gasoline, were broken. With this he had to save fuel and arrived last.

1234 494OFFROAD DAKAR5 Dakar Rally 2016: motorcycle have up to traction control
The Brazilian Jean Azevedo suffered a fall in the second stage of the Rally. Photo: Press Release / HRC

Last Thursday (07/01), in the second leg of a marathon stage, when the riders can not maintain their motorcycles, Azevedo left the rally. As he had no more chances to win the race, Jean gave his radiator to Argentine Honda South America teammate Javier Pizzolitto, who was better placed and needed to move on. Further proof that, in addition to a lot of petrol, preparation and technique, it also takes a bit of luck to succeed in the Dakar Rally.