South Africa is without a doubt an amazing place to visit, as well as ride a motorcycle. Its natural beauty and wildlife will leave you awe-struck, and its friendly people, rich culture and fantastic mountain and ocean scenery will make a lasting impression that will stay with you long after your visit is over. Although it's just an overnight flight away from Europe, it's a world apart, and therefore one of the best places to discover on two wheels, with a number of attractions you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Johannesburg-based motorcycle guru Ben Fourie has completed what will surely become the mainstay on South African motorcycle guidebooks. Three years in the making, Flat Roads and Twisties is a great source of reference to any visitor planning to explore this diverse and fascinating country by motorcycle. It caters for those just wanting to investigate the idea of exploring the "Rainbow Nation" by motorcycle, as well as seasoned adventure tourers who are looking for new places to go.

Flat Roads and Twisties is the very first adventure motorcycle touring handbook to be launched in South Africa and as author Ben Fourie explains, as well as chapters devoted to safety, motorcycle touring tips and routes to ride in southern Africa, the focus is very much targeted at BMW riders.

Flat Roads and Twisties by Ben Fourie

"The book was written very much from a BMW motorcycle point of view, and also features a whole chapter dealing with the history of BMW motorcycles, both in South Africa and internationally. The book was totally produced with the blessing of BMW Motorrad South Africa and is most definitely a book that every motorcycle-touring fanatic will want. I have travelled the length and breadth of southern Africa, and can assure you this country is absolutely amazing. Please come and ride in the most beautiful country in the world!"

Author Ben Fourie and his BMW R1200GS

Ben has always had an unbridled passion for motorcycles and from a very young age restored old BMW bikes with his father. His other favourite pastime is to travel and explore new places, so it was natural that he should eventually combine the two. Over the past 20 years, he has owned over a dozen bikes - most of them touring machines - and spends a lot of time playing on the back roads of what he describes as his "beautiful continent".

"The book is ideal for the overseas enthusiast who wishes to come and visit this beautiful part of the world, as it deals with various issues that might confront the prospective traveller" says Ben. "Sales so far have exceeded all expectations, and all indications are that it is becoming a best seller - both in southern Africa and internationally."

With a cover featuring Touratech Executive Director Herbert Schwarz from his 2007 `End of the Rains' African adventure on a pre-production F800GS, Flat Roads and Twisties features chapters on preparing yourself for venturing out into the remote back roads and beauty spots; safety; inspiring journeys by those who have gone before - from local adventurers to round-the-world epics; and routes to ride all over southern Africa. The final chapter is a comprehensive history of BMW Motorrad, from its humble beginnings to the present day.

BMW R1200GS in South Africa

With 360 full-colour pages of inspiring reading, Flat Roads and Twisties is published by International Motoring Productions (ISBN 978-1-920115-13-5) and can be purchased for 179 Rand (which equates to around €13.40). It can be bought online from the www.flatroadsandtwisties.com website and international postage costs will be approximately €7.50.