Motorcycle Riding And Kando Experiences: Comparison Across Riding Skill Levels

Abstract

  Motorcycle riding is a serious leisure activity that brings “kando” as one of the psychological benefits to motorcyclists. Kando is an emotion or feeling that is triggered through several experiences. However, the concept of kando and the mechanisms of evoking it are still unclear. As kando occurs compared to past experiences and motorcycle riding requires riding skills, the kando evoked by motorcycle riding may differ depending on the riding skill levels. Clarifying the difference of kando evoked by motorcycle riding according to riding skill levels could contribute to exploring the concepts of kando and grasping the psychological benefits brought through motorcycle riding academically. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of motorcycles that evoke kando, the objects of kando during motorcycle riding and the components of kando across riding skill levels. Data were collected from Japanese motorcycle users of four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers through an internet research company. The results of a one-way analysis of variance suggested that kando is more likely to be evoked for motorcyclists with higher riding skill levels. They valued the variety of motorcycle models and the physical stimulation which they perceived during motorcycle riding. Less kando evoked for motorcyclists in the lower riding skill segments, such as novices, beginners and pre-intermediate. Additionally, regardless of riding skill levels, the results showed that socializing and heart-warming experiences were less likely to deliver kando through motorcycle riding, contrary to the results of previous research studies.