HD Technicians
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 250
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From:
RE: HD Technicians
You are lucky. The tech's at the shop I deal with seems like they have an attituude. One had serviced my bike, but before he did that he road tested it. Than he serviced it. He did not say anything about it surging, but I knew something was wrong. A few weeks later, the damn thing started with a check engine like coming on and the poor performance. Now the bike is at the shop, probably be cause the injectors are 8 degree and causing problems.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From:
RE: HD Technicians
Yes. From my understanding, most HD dealership service departments will have "qualified" mechanics that are either ranked as certified, Master of technology or PHD certifed technicians. I am not sure on the order of the rating system, but I believe that the PHD certified technicians are rated at the top of the pecking order. Hope this sheds some light on your question.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Harford County, Maryland
RE: HD Technicians
FIRST and foremost, I will say that NOT ALL mechanics / technicians are unqualfied / **** poor - now that I have said that, let me tell you I worked as an automobile technician for over 25 years of my life, and I was damn good at what I did, and I have worked with many sh*t as* mechanics who stole from customers all day long, but since the company was making money, leave it alone. Since dealing with the Harley techs I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years, so far, between 3 dealerships (I do my own work except when I finally convince them it really is broke and under warranty, and NO, I will not drive any further to find a decent shop, don't need it) I have not found a tech who can even tell an engine is not running right, or feel the really unusual vibration and try to convince me that it's "normal" - I've owned too many HD's, and I know the difference between what is right and what is wrong, regardless of what the issue is; these guys are **** poor excuses for mechanics, and should still be under someone learning how to repair something, since they weren't born with it, and they won't never get it on their own - and yes, I have recently had some dealings at a shop where they can't fix a f**king thing, so they call it normal - all I can say is bite me as*h*le!! to these guys - Again, don't take this as bashing all HD techs - I know for a fact there are many great techs out there, just none near me. I wonder what people do who bring something in for repair, and go away never getting it fixed, because some as* wipe told them it's "normal", and the customer doesn't know the difference between when it's right vs broken.
When you talk to them, and they realize you forgot more than they ever knew, and they make it a point to walk away saying you are the as*h*le - oh well ..... ranting over [sm=rant.gif]
When you talk to them, and they realize you forgot more than they ever knew, and they make it a point to walk away saying you are the as*h*le - oh well ..... ranting over [sm=rant.gif]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
RE: HD Technicians
Wow......
Some real comedians here.......
Will you be here all week?????
If so, I'll make sure I bypass the show......
With that being said.....
Yes, there is a "Rating System" for H-D Techs.....
It is based on time in career (HD Straight), as well as online and Campus Education Requirements.....
Level 1 Staff Entry Level Required Time 3 mos.
Level 2 Technician Entry+ Must complete a certain Campus level course, Complete 35 online Courses (Not Easy) and be in job for 12 mos.
Level 3 Expert Mid Tech 2 Additional Campus Courses (or Challenge the course by doing an online assesment [Very Few can accomplish the online]), additional 6 online courses, 36 mos on the job.
Level 4 Master Upper Level Starting to get into "Specialties", ie: Chassis (Mine), Powertrain, or Electrical (My next one). Molre additional online courses, 48 mos. on the job....
Level 5 Master of Technology The "Ultimate Warrior" of Techs...... ALL ONLINE COURSES, Total of 10 Campus courses, 5 years on the job....
Please note that ALL RATINGS EXPIRE AFTER 3 YEARS.....
Forcing Techs (and Dealers) to stay current with the new technology.....
Look for the patch on their shirt.... If they don't have a Tech/Master Patch....
They prolly haven't gone to school in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Time........ (If they went at all)
Harley Davidson hasn't had the PHD Program as long as the ACE program has been around, but they saw the writing on the wall, Customers relate to ADVANCED EDUCATION.....
They realized a long time ago that it was necessary to keep the Techs updated and proficient...
This and $.75, I can get a small coffee at Sheetz.....
Some real comedians here.......
Will you be here all week?????
If so, I'll make sure I bypass the show......
With that being said.....
Yes, there is a "Rating System" for H-D Techs.....
It is based on time in career (HD Straight), as well as online and Campus Education Requirements.....
Level 1 Staff Entry Level Required Time 3 mos.
Level 2 Technician Entry+ Must complete a certain Campus level course, Complete 35 online Courses (Not Easy) and be in job for 12 mos.
Level 3 Expert Mid Tech 2 Additional Campus Courses (or Challenge the course by doing an online assesment [Very Few can accomplish the online]), additional 6 online courses, 36 mos on the job.
Level 4 Master Upper Level Starting to get into "Specialties", ie: Chassis (Mine), Powertrain, or Electrical (My next one). Molre additional online courses, 48 mos. on the job....
Level 5 Master of Technology The "Ultimate Warrior" of Techs...... ALL ONLINE COURSES, Total of 10 Campus courses, 5 years on the job....
Please note that ALL RATINGS EXPIRE AFTER 3 YEARS.....
Forcing Techs (and Dealers) to stay current with the new technology.....
Look for the patch on their shirt.... If they don't have a Tech/Master Patch....
They prolly haven't gone to school in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Time........ (If they went at all)
Harley Davidson hasn't had the PHD Program as long as the ACE program has been around, but they saw the writing on the wall, Customers relate to ADVANCED EDUCATION.....
They realized a long time ago that it was necessary to keep the Techs updated and proficient...
This and $.75, I can get a small coffee at Sheetz.....
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA, Madison GA
RE: HD Technicians
Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: HD Technicians
The really good tech's will be wearing this patch on their shirt.......trust them with your life.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: The birthplace of our nation- Philadelphia proud!
RE: HD Technicians
ORIGINAL: Shovelhead Bob
Look for the patch on their shirt.... If they don't have a Tech/Master Patch....
They prolly haven't gone to school in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Time........ (If they went at all)
Look for the patch on their shirt.... If they don't have a Tech/Master Patch....
They prolly haven't gone to school in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Time........ (If they went at all)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
RE: HD Technicians
No offense taken.....
You dont know me... I don't know you....
Dealerships are held to certain standards......
Some Dealers openly choose not to send techs to school......
That is rapidly changing......
AMI/MMI doesn't teach everything....
There MUST BE FOLLOW-ON EDUCATION.....
Some dealers look at it as lost income, as the tech has to be transported, boarded, course paid for, WAGES!!!!!....
You are looking at, average $1500.00 to 2k for each dealer for 1 student, for 1 class, 5 or 6 days away from the shop....
Big change to be shelling out.....
My peeve is that Techs do not get PSS (Professional Selling Skills) Core training during any of this.....
Nor do Service Writers.... But that is just me.....
As an example.... At the Dealership I am priviledged to work in....
There are NO CUSTOMERS..... Just new family members....
No Azz kissing... We tell it straight... If you want something obnoxious, and we wont do it... real simple... We dont....
Lost a few that way.. but there are others that will take that $$$$ and run with it.....
We end up doing the service work... Sometimes the Warrenty (Depends on how stupid the Build is)....
We strive to maintain the Family oriented reputation it has developed over 86 (Yes, 86) years....
By friendly and quality service, Family Atmosphere, Community involvement, and not forgetting where we came from.....
It is, I believe, the last TRUE MOM & POP Shop in the Country.....
Another $.75.... Hey, I got another cup of coffee.....
FWIW.... Go Steelers...
Never liked the Eagles....
You dont know me... I don't know you....
Dealerships are held to certain standards......
Some Dealers openly choose not to send techs to school......
That is rapidly changing......
AMI/MMI doesn't teach everything....
There MUST BE FOLLOW-ON EDUCATION.....
Some dealers look at it as lost income, as the tech has to be transported, boarded, course paid for, WAGES!!!!!....
You are looking at, average $1500.00 to 2k for each dealer for 1 student, for 1 class, 5 or 6 days away from the shop....
Big change to be shelling out.....
My peeve is that Techs do not get PSS (Professional Selling Skills) Core training during any of this.....
Nor do Service Writers.... But that is just me.....
As an example.... At the Dealership I am priviledged to work in....
There are NO CUSTOMERS..... Just new family members....
No Azz kissing... We tell it straight... If you want something obnoxious, and we wont do it... real simple... We dont....
Lost a few that way.. but there are others that will take that $$$$ and run with it.....
We end up doing the service work... Sometimes the Warrenty (Depends on how stupid the Build is)....
We strive to maintain the Family oriented reputation it has developed over 86 (Yes, 86) years....
By friendly and quality service, Family Atmosphere, Community involvement, and not forgetting where we came from.....
It is, I believe, the last TRUE MOM & POP Shop in the Country.....
Another $.75.... Hey, I got another cup of coffee.....
FWIW.... Go Steelers...
Never liked the Eagles....