In our last issue of WE Ride (Whites Employees Ride) for 2024, we meet our southernmost employee, Glen Manning and his much-loved KTM.
WE Ride is all about sharing our passion for two wheels by introducing a team member, what they ride, wear and use in the shed.
Let’s get to know Glen, hear about all the miles he drives and rides, and stay until the end to see his walk-around!
What’s your name, what do you ride, and what do you do at Whites?
Glen Manning, 2020 KTM 690 Enduro, and I’m our Territory Manager for the South Island.
I do one full lap of the South Island, every month. I visit every dealership from as far north as Nelson to as far south as Invercargill, supporting our dealers with anything they need from Whites Powersports.
How long have you had your bike and what mods have you made to it so far?
Since 2020 — I purchased it brand new, not long out of Covid lockdown, I think. In that time I’ve made a lot of upgrades and personalisation modifications:
- Bridgestone E50 DOT-approved front tyre.
- Bridgestone Gritty Rear tyre.
- IRC Heavy Duty Tubes, front and rear.
- Polisport Fork Guards (modified to allow my motard wheels to fit).
- Whites Billet Brake Lever.
- Aftermarket Billet alloy rear brake lever.
- Motion Pro Brake Snake.
- Garmin Zumo XT Motorcycle Navigator.
- K&N Airfilter.
- Motobatt trickle charger (hard wired).
- Goldfren Rear Brake pads.
- MTX Gold Alloy Sprocket.
- RK Gold U-ring Chain.
- Barkbuster Jet Hand Guards.
- Assorted DRC and ZETA Bling.
- RAM Mounts and Mirrors.
- K&N and Whites Motorcycle Parts Oil Filters.
- Putoline 10/60 Full Synthetic engine oil.
- Putoline Drytec Chain Lube.
- Oxford Mint Silicone.
- Polisport Chain Guide.
- Whites WOF and Rego Holders.
- Giant Loop Pannier Bags.
- Alloy sprocket cover.
- Alloy skid plate.
- Wings muffler.
- Manual fan switch.
- 17-inch motard wheels.
- Bridgestone S22 front & rear on motard rims.
- Motard shorty front guard.
- KTM Powerparts Billet Rear Reservoir Cap.
- KTM Powerparts Seat.
See all Glen’s bike mod parts in one place, here.
Do you have more plans for your 690?
At this stage, keeping it and putting lots more k's on it 😉.
What sort of riding do you enjoy and where do you like to do it?
Wide-open gravel roads... when you can see far enough ahead to be sure there's no traffic, this bike is a hoot on gravel!
I have arguably the best backyard for Adventure Riding. Banks Peninsula is littered with gravel and paper roads. It’s 25km to Akaroa from home. We always leave and go the long way (normally 80km+) to have lunch or coffee in the stunning Akaroa township. Lucky, lucky me!
Are there any notable products that you use on the regular to enhance your riding?
I have almost every Oxford Mint and Putoline product on my shelf at home. I use Polisport and DRC bike stands when cleaning my bike.
I use a DRC Loading Ramp and have several sets of Whites Tie Downs. Also, our rubber gloves are awesome when I’m working on the bikes.
DRC exhaust plugs, Whites pit mat, Oxford Chains, locks and ground anchor.
Motion Pro Allen head T bar set, etc, etc.
Tell us a bit about your life on two wheels...
I arrived home from school when I was ten to find a 50cc Suzuki Scooter in the garage. Dad said it was for Mum to collect the groceries on. Of course, it wasn't. And that was the start.
Knobbly tyres, a loud exhaust pipe and Wellington Trail Riders Club stickers on it... I wore a track around our lawn on our 3/4-acre section. Probably still there to this day!
I have had well over 30 bikes, now, having raced Motocross, Hare Scrambles (now called Cross Country) and Enduros, all at National level in NZ.
I achieved top ten in NZ in all three disciplines, have been an NZ Cross Country Teams champion, twice, and closest I ever got to becoming an individual NZ Champ was 2003 where I finished first equal in the National Enduro Championship and lost on a countback.
On the international front, I achieved a Silver Medal (finished within 25% of class winner’s time) at the 2006 International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), which was held in the Taupo district.
Tell us about your gear — why you chose it and what you like about it.
I try to support all our brands wherever possible; Leatt moto and now adventure ranges — great quality and the best protection.
I have Leatt and Shoei helmets for dirt riding, and a Shoei and LS2 for adventure. Soon to be a Leatt for adventure also with the new 8.5 and 9.5 Carbon ADV now available.
I have a set of Oxford Mondial Jacket and Pants. These have been super comfortable and are fully waterproof being laminated.
Have only just stopped using the Oxford Jacket for ADV riding, now that we have a high-spec Leatt adventure jacket with better Level 2 CE armour.
Leatt 5.5 FlexLock Boots and 4.5 Hydradri Boots are the most comfortable boot I have ever worn and give you great support when needed.
See all Glen’s gear in more detail, here.
See Glen’s Shopping Lists
Check out all Glen’s bike mod parts in one place » mods product collection.
Browse all Glen’s gear in one place » gear collection.
See what else WE Ride
If you’ve enjoyed learning about Glen, his machine and gear, have a gander at our other issues of WE Ride and see more of our team and their toys.
View All WE Ride Issues »
