Motives and constraints of motorcycle leisure through the lens of serious leisure: scale development

Abstract

This research investigates riding motorcycles as a serious leisure activity, and the motives and constraints of motorcycle leisure. The research is designed to develop a new scale on motorcycle leisure, hence followed the methodological phases of scale development. Following an extensive literature review on the research topic, a mixed-method primary data collection was executed. Through convenient sampling, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held with 27 motorcyclists, who travel with their motorcycles for leisure purposes. Based on the findings of this initial data, structured interviews were conducted with further 33 motorcyclists. The cross-analysed findings of the two-staged interview phase alongside the findings of two focus group studies held with motorcyclists and academic experts respectively, were, then, used to identify the scale items. The scale was tested and validated on 486 survey participants, reached during several motorcyclist leisure events. The results indicate that the most important motives for motorcycle leisure are grouped under enjoyment, convenience and adventure-seeking. The constraints, in the meantime, were detected as work- and time-related restrictions, climate, accidents, fear of acquaintances and high costs of motorcycles and their parts.