Sunglide Moto Tours
United by a Shared Passion
The team at Sunglide Moto Tours originates from all corners off the world. A shared passion for motorcycles and exploring brough us together. And what better country to go out exploring than New Zealand! With a passion for finding the hidden gems of this beautiful country, the team has good knowlege of where to find the most stunning views and thrilling twisties troughout the country of the long white cloud.
As riders the community and togethersness is a big part of why we go out riding. Wanting to share the exilirating experience of riding trough the New Zealand scenery is why we started Sunglide Moto Tours. Being able to go out adventuring together with fellow riders, safely and with good company is for us what it is all about.
Why Choose Sunglide
Multilangual Guides:
Our guides and instructors speak a variety of Languages, incuding Chinese, English, Afrikaans and Norwegian. To ensure you enjoy a comfortable and smooth communication experience during yourtrip.
Exclusive customized routes:
Well-designed routes covering New Zealand's famous lakes, volcanoes, forests and coastlines. You’ll get to ride our guides personal favourite back roads and explore hidden gems. Our ineraries combine the thrill of riding with sightseeing and relaxation. The routes and are suitable for riders of all riding levels.
Superior Accommodation and Dining:
Our selection of high-quality local hotels and restaurants ensures that every moment of your trip is a luxurious experience. We understand the importance of having a proper rest and time to reset when you are off the seat.
Advanced Rider Training:
Our "Leyston Workshop" riding training course is spesificly put together to make sure you have the most enjoyable time while riding in New Zealand. Instructed by New Zealand senior certified instructor Glen Leyston, to improve yourriding skills and enhance riding safety.
The Team
GLEN LEYSTON
Glen Leyston
Lead Adventure Riding Guide/ Riding Instructor
Glen Leyston and motorcycling go hand in hand. He is a New Zealand Certified Motorcycle Instructor and an official certified instructor for the New Zealand government-led ACC Ride Forever program. He has over 22 years of experience as a Motorcycle instructor in New Zealand, and 40 years of mechanical background. Glen has a strong technical background having competed in South Africa with the BMW Firehawk Motorsport Team in a number of top level motorcycle events. He began his motorcycle career in South Africa as a teenager, and is particularly passionate about off-road riding. Glen has participated int he most challenging rallies in Africa: the Roof of Africa and the Toyota1000 Desert Race.
After moving to New Zealand, Glen has started sharing his knowledge within adventure riding. He is well versed in both on and off road riding techniques, developing practical training programs for riders of all levels. His style of teaching is practical, logical and easy to understand, helping riders to quickly build confidence and control in a relaxed and friendly environment. His courses are not only suitable for travelers who are ready to embarkon long-distance rides, but also for intermediate and advanced riders who want to improve their skills and strengthen their resilience. Whether it's on gravel roads, forest trails, or technical cornering, Glen provides riders with the most professional, safe, and practical instruction experience. If you are eager to explore New Zealand's magnificent riding trails and at the same time want to continuously improve your skill level, Glen in the man to go to.
BERRY CHOW
Berry Chow
Founder/ Director
Being from Dongguan, Guangdong, China, Berry was deeply influenced by Lingnan culture and the Cantonese chivalry from a young age. Fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, he possesses profound bilingual and cross-cultural communication skills. He graduated from the University of Auckland with a Master's degree in Education and holds a Celta International English Teaching Qualification from the University of Cambridge. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature. He is a professional educator with experience in language education, cross-cultural teaching, and adult learning. Having lived in New Zealand for many years, Berry not only teaches English as a foreign language but is also a passionate motorcycle adventurer, exploring the diverse terrains of New Zealand's North and South Islands.
Having lived in New Zealand for many years, he has not only been engaged in teaching English as a foreign language for a long time, but also as a passionate adventure motorcycle rider, he enjoys exploring the various terrains of New Zealand's North Island and South Islands. His cycling routes cover glacial fjords, forest plateaus, gravel valleys and volcanic mountains, and he has truly experienced the vastness and wildness of New Zealand's landscape. He enjoys taking part in various adventure rides and motorbike rallyes, including the BMW GS Rallye, Remote Adventure Rally and Coromandel Rallye.
In 2023, he founded Sunglide Moto Tours, combining his dual backgrounds in language teaching and off-road riding to create a high-quality, safe, and accessible motorcycle travel experience tailored to Asian riders.
KARL FINSTAD
Karl Erik Finstad
Creative Director/ Adventure Photographer
Born in rural Norway, Karl grew up with a passion for all things with an engine, from driving crosskarts around the farm, to racing go-karts, Karl's passion for mechanics grew with him. He started riding motorcycles at the age of 15, as soon as he could get his licence. He enjoys riding forest trails and going on long distance adventure rides covering various types off terrain.
Karl graduated with a degree in media production/ VFX and is skilled in short film production, photograpy, visual effects and broadcast television. His focus is on capturing autenthic, yet dynamic moments. With a keen sense of composition and professional post-processing, he is dedicated to capturing "blockbuster moments" for every rider on the road. As the accompanying photographer of Sunglide Moto Tours Karl is not only responsible for taking photos and videos during the rides, but is also the indispensable soulcatcher of each tour member.
You will find Karl in his right elements when he is "off the beaten path". Always with a camera in his hand, and with a passion for finding hidden gems in the New Zealand countryside, you can be sure that you will get forever memories to hold on to when Karl is along for the ride.
The Riding Community
Gearshift Gatherings -
“A riding community for the explorers”
Gearshift Gatherings is a community for riders with a focus on cameraderie and exploring. If you've been on one of our training days, organized rides, or explored country trails alongside us, then you belong. The Facebook group is now home to over 410 riders, all from our past training sessions and rides. It's a group of trail friends built on trust, understanding and a healthy amount of banter. At Gearshift Gatherings, we organize a variety of riding experiences including adventure riding training days and weekend rides.
We also organize Motorcycle Poker Runs. Complete the route to win spot prizes and collect your cards. Share your riding stories and talk bikes, while building your navigational and adventure riding skills. There are no strangers in the team, only a welcoming community, sharing experience and laughs. We believe that motorcycling is not only a sport, but also a way to build friendships and identity. If you've ever set out with us, Gearshift Gatherings is your other home on your New Zealand motorcycling journey.
