Porto Velho - Manaus
 

Hi People, I´m about to head into Brazil from the south and looking at going up through the Parantel to Porto Velho where the asphalto runs out, unless you want to go to Bolivia, then north down the river to Manaus. I then intend to board another luxury liner and carry on downstream to Belem. Anyone done the middle bit (PV - M) recently ´cos all the stuff I have found so far doesn´t mention motos on boats for that bit, only motos on barges. Ride/sail safe.

advice...dont ride it.
 

Rode the BR319 from Manaus to Humaita in 2005.
sheer and utter hell.
dont ride it - take the boat, especially if you are on your own.

of course I have heard that things have 'improved/got worse/stayed the same' - so cant comment on the 'now'...but if its the same as in 2005 - mmmm. Id say dont do it.
However if you do decide consider these points:
you will need to carry all of the gas you require for this part from Humaita to Manaus.

Make sure you are on anti-malaria tablets. and have a hammock to strap up to keep you off the floor/ground.

take fresh water with you and a good filter for filtering the river water. but remember - sometimes its too difficult to reach the water - so having some on you at all times is important.

I can go on and on. but....wont!
consider this carefully. and of course it does depend on what type of transport you are using I am assuming its a motorbike but dont know how heavy it is etc. etc.

cheers

Boats
 

In 2008 we took a boat to Manaus from Porto Velho

Oh Brother, Where Am I ?: A Riverboat to Manaus, Amazonia

There are two ports in Porto Velho, You'll need to go to the "passenger" port.
You may have to wait while the boat is loaded.(days)

You might go to Humaita and get on the boat also, that way your bike is on top of all the freight and not under it. Seemed like the captain was flexible as long as the $$ was right.

They let us sleep in hammocks on the empty boat for not much while we waited to leave(3 days).

A bike cover wrapped tight would be a benefit, imho