Motorcycle Repair: MC tech career, motorcycle mechanics institute, motorcycle mechanics institute mmi

Question
Hey Mark, Im thinkin about making my passion of motorcycles (mainly sportbikes, but I love em all) into a career. I was wondering how lucrative this field is? I live in st. louis so I doubt theres a need for mechanics during these off season months.. What do techs do during this time? And what is your opinion of these online training courses? I cant imagine learning too much without gettin your hands dirty. I am naturally a mechanically inclined person and have been reading every service manual, online tutorial, and article I can get my hands on but I feel I still need some hands on training.  thanks for your input -nick

Answer
Hi Nick,

Pro techs can do well if they get the right opportunity. There are about 750 MC's to every MC tech.

Dealership service departments may pay techs flat-rate pay, hourly wage, a combination of both, or salary.

Working flat-rate pays alright if the tech is efficient. Example, if you're paid an hour's time at the shop's flat-rate to do a specific task and you finish the task in twenty minutes, you're making money. If the task takes you over an hour, you're losing money.

I attended the American Motorcycle Institute (AMI). Another popular tech school is the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI). Both schools are very good schools. Visit their web pages to learn more.

I've also attended numerous factory training seminars. If you become employed by a dealership, they'll likely send you to get factory certifications.

On-line training courses cannot get you the experience needed to be a pro tech.

Check out Dan's free on-line MC training course: "www.dansmc.com"

During winter months in in Ohio, at one dealership we went on unemployment after the summer work was caught up. The least senior tech is the first to go. At another Ohio dealer, we went off flat-rate and on a low hourly wage. We worked on used MC's or whatever else they could think of for us to do.

I estimate a pro tech may earn between $20,000 to $30,000 per year in Ohio if he is efficient.

Send me your email address. I'll send you some tech intel that I'm sure you'll appreciate.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively