Motorcycle Mechanic Certification
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,439
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Good feedback all around, much appreciated! From what I have been able to gather, the reviews on MMI are a bit mixed. The feedback from former students ranges from "$20k to make $20 an hour", to "$20k but the best building block towards a CAREER as an HD technician etc.". I'm not going to MMI, so it's off the table for me. The emerging consensus I'm finding from my digging is to look for a solid program at a local community or 2 year college. I'm in San Diego and have found most automotive certifications at local schools however I did find one motorcycle program at a trade-technical college in Los Angeles. I found one certificate program locally for Automotive/Motorcycle Maintenance & Light Repair, which I'm looking into as well.
Re: the economics of this career path, I'm not worried about the money I would earn as a mechanic. I'm more interested in learning something that will keep me employed as long as I want to work and that no one can take away from me. I understand it's a slog and I'm thinking long term.
Re: the economics of this career path, I'm not worried about the money I would earn as a mechanic. I'm more interested in learning something that will keep me employed as long as I want to work and that no one can take away from me. I understand it's a slog and I'm thinking long term.
PM Rizzo and have a chat with him, could be of help to you.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 4,204
From: NC
If I were king for a day, high school shop would be mandatory, skilled trades would be as respected as any college grad and have a pension at 60. While I'm ranting, every young adult would perform 2 years of military or community service in exchange for education.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,438
Likes: 3,716
From: backwoods
I am curious what the truth is on wages, not just reading on forum
Though I can see starting at $20 to change oil and tires for a spell.
We got people here who go to dealers and tell them who can work on their bike. It's not the new guy.
I came from trades, and yes shortage. But it's long wait to get to doc too
Though I can see starting at $20 to change oil and tires for a spell.
We got people here who go to dealers and tell them who can work on their bike. It's not the new guy.
I came from trades, and yes shortage. But it's long wait to get to doc too
Bit of real world advice on this? I know 4 guys who went through the so called motorcycle tech schools over the years. 3 eventually landed jobs at dealers or an indy shop, one never touched a wrench again. None of them stayed with it over 3 years before drifting off to other jobs or the military to make a real living. Worked with one at an Indian dealership here in the bay area when they were made in Gilroy in 2003, while a decent guy he was a parts swapper, wasn't in the book he was lost. Those schools at best give you the basics and not a lot of solid base or trouble shooting skills.
PM Rizzo and have a chat with him, could be of help to you.
PM Rizzo and have a chat with him, could be of help to you.
I feel like this might be a dumb question but would a 2-year degree in Automotive Technology be looked at favorably by shops? I know that doesn't give me bike experience specifically. The reason I'm asking is because those programs are much easier to find at a community college. The Automotive/Motorcycle Maintenance & Light Repair program (certificate) prepares you for the G1 ASE. The more I look at the other classes. The automotive tech degree program includes those courses and more. I'm thinking if I can combine that with getting my foot in at a shop or dealership doing anything, then I'll be on-track.
I applied to the California Community College system (I got in, thank you!) and am hoping to pick a program for the spring semester. Dropped my the HD dealership where I bought my bike as well today. The sales manager and most of the people know me there on-sight. The sales manager introduced me to the service manager and GM. Dropped off a resume and on my way out every person in the place stopped to say 'what's up!'. Hoping the managers got some of that, "Geez this dude practically works here already!" vibe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
With all the small family own dealers be shut down by HD. The ones that are left have no reason to keep good techs around.
The small dealers made their way by providing service.
Smaller dealerships often had the same people working there many years. Not what you see at the group owner big dealers.
Service is not in there business model.
The small dealers made their way by providing service.
Smaller dealerships often had the same people working there many years. Not what you see at the group owner big dealers.
Service is not in there business model.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
I am curious what the truth is on wages, not just reading on forum
Though I can see starting at $20 to change oil and tires for a spell.
We got people here who go to dealers and tell them who can work on their bike. It's not the new guy.
I came from trades, and yes shortage. But it's long wait to get to doc too
Though I can see starting at $20 to change oil and tires for a spell.
We got people here who go to dealers and tell them who can work on their bike. It's not the new guy.
I came from trades, and yes shortage. But it's long wait to get to doc too
wages suck, we are talking out of our *****.
I say again, young folks need to understand and some old Fs on here, one must start somewhere, that hasnt changed one bit. And wont ever.
You either work your way up working for someone, never get rich but live comfortably or you develop skills, and start your own company and live more comfortably and over time become financially successful, as your not working for someone but yourself.
and then you buy a piece of schit Harley like some here and post all day about how hard it sucks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
A very good tech that worked at local HD dealership. He was not a kid but was the youngest in the shop. He was trained and school. Also had the experience of many years working on HD and BMW in the shop.
He always enjoyed seeing a project come in. The same old same old put a cam in fix a minor issue ect gets boring after awhile.
When an older EVO or pan or shovel came in he was all over it. learning from true masters.
When HD shut the dealership down. He was in some ways freed to expand his skills in doing work out side the box.
Some will always be nothing more that a parts changer. A few will find a passion for the work.
He always enjoyed seeing a project come in. The same old same old put a cam in fix a minor issue ect gets boring after awhile.
When an older EVO or pan or shovel came in he was all over it. learning from true masters.
When HD shut the dealership down. He was in some ways freed to expand his skills in doing work out side the box.
Some will always be nothing more that a parts changer. A few will find a passion for the work.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
Yeah, $20k at MMI and then how much more ($20k plus for basic) on proper tools for the job that pays $20/hr and limited benefits doesn't make a lot of sense. Add to that the complex nature of newer CANBUS HD's and so many things being contriolled by corporate. I think that is one reason it's very hard to find a good mechanic and there are far too many parts changers these days.
But as has been said, you have to start somewhere, and that is usually at an entry level job with low wages. Actual work experience at the job is what they are looking for, and that just takes time and some word of mouth. If its a passion or love of art, it can become a career. But my guess is that these corporate dealerships with all the political (internal) baggage aren't a fun places to work. Under staffed, underpaid and over worked is mostly what I see now. And likely why a good tech is difficult to find.
If you happen to find a good tech or parts person, let them know you appreciate them. And do something extra, like an occasional gift card or something when they make that extra effort for you or during the holidays so they know because it appears the dealer isn't going to show them a lot of appreciation.
Paul.
But as has been said, you have to start somewhere, and that is usually at an entry level job with low wages. Actual work experience at the job is what they are looking for, and that just takes time and some word of mouth. If its a passion or love of art, it can become a career. But my guess is that these corporate dealerships with all the political (internal) baggage aren't a fun places to work. Under staffed, underpaid and over worked is mostly what I see now. And likely why a good tech is difficult to find.
If you happen to find a good tech or parts person, let them know you appreciate them. And do something extra, like an occasional gift card or something when they make that extra effort for you or during the holidays so they know because it appears the dealer isn't going to show them a lot of appreciation.
Paul.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,439
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
you posted something sensible. But where you and I are wrong, this is the interwebs and its true.
wages suck, we are talking out of our *****.
I say again, young folks need to understand and some old Fs on here, one must start somewhere, that hasnt changed one bit. And wont ever.
You either work your way up working for someone, never get rich but live comfortably or you develop skills, and start your own company and live more comfortably and over time become financially successful, as your not working for someone but yourself.
and then you buy a piece of schit Harley like some here and post all day about how hard it sucks.
wages suck, we are talking out of our *****.
I say again, young folks need to understand and some old Fs on here, one must start somewhere, that hasnt changed one bit. And wont ever.
You either work your way up working for someone, never get rich but live comfortably or you develop skills, and start your own company and live more comfortably and over time become financially successful, as your not working for someone but yourself.
and then you buy a piece of schit Harley like some here and post all day about how hard it sucks.
Should have seen the blank looks I got 9 yrs ago during the multiple interview dance with Tesla, what do you mean you don't use social media ? How are we to check your profile's, see it's required right here on the application form and one of the floor managers was trying to get me in.
Like this everywhere but podunk corn country now.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
2 years ago now the local dealership shitcanned some including the top dog in the service dept. All but one of the rest quit. The new head of the service dept. Is a corporate guy you can tell and dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to Harleys. A warrany processor.
They brought him over from another dealership and he hired a new crew.
I was none too impressed with the old crew but there was one guy that knew his ****. Maybe 2 But now there is no way in hell I let them put air in my tires..
The parts guy is top notch and the only reason I even go there.
They brought him over from another dealership and he hired a new crew.
I was none too impressed with the old crew but there was one guy that knew his ****. Maybe 2 But now there is no way in hell I let them put air in my tires..
The parts guy is top notch and the only reason I even go there.
Last edited by 60Gunner; Oct 11, 2023 at 12:19 PM.