Umusername
Been Around the Block
I am strongly considering changing schooling directions. My thought is make a career of something I really enjoy. So for those of you who have already done this how did you get your start?
motorcycle technician certification: who has them and how did you get them
- Thread starter Umusername
- Start date
hfc_tom
New Member
Umusername said:
If I had it to do all over again, I'd start taking small engine & welding classes at the local community college, followed up with "larger" engine classes, and work at a local motorcycle shop part-time.
Most folks I talk to who have gone the "MMI"-only route have ended up as low-paid parts-swappers with a ton of student loan debt, that can only get jobs sweeping the floors at HD or Honda shops.
As it was I apprenticed with a guy for a couple years who basically took what I already knew & threw me into the deep end of the pool.
I'd see if there was a local "independent" shop & go see if the guy needs the floor swept.
-=Tom
ApriliaBill
Yeah...I'm old school.
If people haven't noticed, schooling of skills has become a 8 billion dollar enterprise. Issue is, it has flooded the fields of mechanics and nursing, driving down the wages and drying up openings. If you have skills, it's almost better to work out of your garage. I have a couple neighbors who are long time Harley mechanics, they make more $ out of their garage than they do at the dealership. There are so many mechanics out there that if you have the slightest issue with the dealership they just replace you with the next guy out of school. I'm sure this isn't at all shops, but it's at enough of the shops around here that I never see the same guy twice.
djelliott
Real bikes are built in garages.
My experience working side by side with recent MMI graduates is that they are damn near useless when it comes to anything remotely vintage. They shine when something new comes in that they get to hook the computer to. Other then that they are OK at taking off old parts and putting on new ones, just don't ask them to diagnose anything that won't give an error code.
Umusername
Been Around the Block
Glad to see all the antiMMI as I had long thrown that out the window (I talked on the phone with them for about 5 minutes 6 months ago and that was more than enough to make me think they we totally worthless). There a a few local shops that I really like I will be hitting them up for sure. I guess the last question is the whole certification part of it.
How important are they? Say I do an apprenticeship what would one do from there to get certs?
How important are they? Say I do an apprenticeship what would one do from there to get certs?
I went to the local Secretary of State office and took the test. $30 or so later I was a "Master Motorcycle Mechanic".
Certs are going to vary by your state, I would imagine; and if you want to get factory certified, you'll need to get in with a dealership. Start sweepin' floors. If you want to do this for a living you don't want to start out by building up debt, 'cause it doesn't make much money.
Certs are going to vary by your state, I would imagine; and if you want to get factory certified, you'll need to get in with a dealership. Start sweepin' floors. If you want to do this for a living you don't want to start out by building up debt, 'cause it doesn't make much money.
Umusername
Been Around the Block
You guys really have a ton of knowledge for about everything to do with motorcycles thanks so much!
Scruffy
West Tennessee
My local dealerships all have MMI certified techs. Who consistently forget to torque critical hardware, who install insert type oil filters backwards, who have no clue how to make sure a tire is installed directionally and properly balance... The closest Suzuki dealer I trust is 425 miles from my house.
Do you really want to put yourself through the agony of being associated with dealerships and/or indie shops that are incapable of the most rudimentary tasks? If so, and it is a great learning experience, find one that relies on MMI graduates. If not, find an indie shop run by an old grey beard that actually does it because he loves motorcycles. NOT as a way to make a quick buck by ripping off lazy bike owners.
I've worked in both types, the money is better in a boutique store than it is in an old fashioned motorcycle shop. The customers, fellow employees, the boss and the equipment are better in the small shops. You'll be broke, a lot, but the paychecks you do get will be honest money for an honest job.
Do you really want to put yourself through the agony of being associated with dealerships and/or indie shops that are incapable of the most rudimentary tasks? If so, and it is a great learning experience, find one that relies on MMI graduates. If not, find an indie shop run by an old grey beard that actually does it because he loves motorcycles. NOT as a way to make a quick buck by ripping off lazy bike owners.
I've worked in both types, the money is better in a boutique store than it is in an old fashioned motorcycle shop. The customers, fellow employees, the boss and the equipment are better in the small shops. You'll be broke, a lot, but the paychecks you do get will be honest money for an honest job.
Umusername
Been Around the Block
Haha for sure I will.Rich Ard said:Ha ha I don't have enough to be a Master Motorcyvle Mexhanic. I did have thirty bucks, though. Keep that in mind next time you go to a shop :
Scruffy said:
Thats all I want out of life anyway. Looks like I need to start looking for wizards around town and asking them to teach me the ways of the wrench.
