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Is Being a Motorcycle Technician a Good Career?

4/30/2024

Motorcycle technician work can be physically and mentally challenging, but it can also offer a ton of satisfaction to people who take pride in craftsmanship.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute’s (MMI) 48-week Motorcycle Technician Training program allows students to learn skills frequently required in this field!7 Finishing the program enables graduates to pursue entry-level motorcycle technician roles.1.1

Could a career as a motorcycle tech be right for you?

Continue reading to learn more! In the following post, we’ll describe what a career as a motorcycle technician involves and how to obtain training to pursue this path at MMI.

What Do Motorcycle Mechanics Do?

A motorcycle technician is typically responsible for maintaining, diagnosing and repairing motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs and more. Here are a motorcycle technician’s typical duties:

  • Inspections: Inspections are performed to identify problems or defects.
  • Routine maintenance tasks: Routine maintenance tasks, such as changing oil and filters, lubricating moving parts and adjusting cables are performed to prevent problems from occurring.
  • Diagnoses: Mechanical and electrical problems are identified using diagnostic equipment and troubleshooting techniques to detect problems and defects.
  • Repairs and replacements: Repairs and replacements are conducted to remove non-functioning parts such as brakes, engines and transmissions and replace them with new, fully functional parts.
  • Install new equipment and systems: Motorcycle technicians install new equipment and systems such as LED lighting, audio systems and GPS units.

Read: Why Wide Open Mobile Tech’s Elliott Deane Is a Rising Star

Benefits of a Motorcycle Technician Career

A career as a motorcycle technician allows technicians to work with their hands on a daily basis. That’s great news for those who enjoy getting your hands dirty and figuring out how things work. With the right training and experience, motorcycle technicians can also advance to more specialized industry roles.77

If you are passionate about motorcycles, a career as a motorcycle technician can be fulfilling! They get to work on bikes they love, help people to keep their machines in good operating condition and contribute to the growth of the motorcycle industry!

Read: Marcus Ellis: MMI Grad, Entrepreneur and Born Free Custom Builder

Motorcycle Technology Career Outlook     

The BLS also reported that the median annual salary for motorcycle technicians in the United States was $43,370 in May 2022.30 This means that half earned more and the other half earned less. Remember that salary is affected by a variety of factors, including experience, employer, demand and the cost of living in the area.

Read: Motorcycle Mechanic Median Annual Salary: Top Paying by State Ranking

How Long Does Motorcycle Technician Training Take?

Trade schools offer programs that help students develop the knowledge and skills often required in a given field. MMI students receive industry-standard training to help them prepare for the motorcycle industry.

Motorcycle mechanic schooling can last months or years, depending on the program. MMI provides a 48-week training program that teaches students the fundamentals of motorcycles, ATVs, powersports, side-by-sides and personal watercraft through motorcycle mechanic courses such as:

  • Engines, Transmissions and Precision Measurement
  • Chassis, Suspension and Final Drive Electrical Systems
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Engine Troubleshooting and Noise Diagnosis
  • Electrical Diagnostics

This program is offered at UTI’s Orlando, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona, campuses.

Read: MMI Grad Creates Platform to Empower Female Motorcycle Techs

Motorcycle Technician FAQ

What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Motorcycle Mechanic?

There is no federal law that mandates employers to include specific requirements in motorcycle mechanic job postings. However, some states and cities require mechanics to have specific certifications before they can work.

In any case, formal motorcycle mechanic training credentials can help prospective motorcycle mechanics stand out from other applicants because they demonstrate that the applicant may require less on-the-job training. Depending on the campus, students at MMI can earn associate of occupational studies (AOS) or occupational associate degrees (OAD) if they complete certain program combinations for a total of 60 weeks of training. Graduates of the 48-week program option receive diplomas.

What Makes a Good Motorcycle Mechanic?

Motorcycle mechanics must be passionate about their craft because it requires hard work, technical knowledge and long hours. They must also be technically savvy to accurately diagnose and repair mechanical issues.

Discipline is essential for motorcycle mechanics because every repair and diagnostic task has a specific procedure that must be followed to ensure that the job is done correctly. Teamwork skills are also important for motorcycle mechanics because they frequently work in groups, contributing to a common goal.

These are just a few of the many important motorcycle mechanic traits MMI students should cultivate to realize their training potential!

Read: MMI Grad Creates Business Centered Around Motorcycle Culture

Enroll in Motorcycle Technician Training at MMI!

Motorcycle technicians can use their knowledge and professional skills to help others maintain, repair and customize motorbikes. If you’re itching to pursue a career in the motorcycle industry, getting the training at MMI is a good idea!

Eager to enroll in motorcycle technician training? Reach out to an Admissions Representative through 1-800-834-7308 or visit our website to request more information.

YOU COULD START YOUR EXCITING NEW CAREER AS A MECHANIC OR TECHNICIAN TODAY.
With classes starting every 3-6 weeks, no need to wait to start your career.
Hands-on training.Get hands on experience with the industry's leading brands.
No Pressure to commit.Get answers to your questions without any obligations.
Or Call Now 800.834.7308

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1.1 ) MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2 ) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
7 ) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.
30 ) MMI’s Motorcycle Technician Training Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as motorcycle technicians. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Motorcycle Mechanics as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for MMI graduates. MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. MMI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some MMI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a motorcycle technician, such as service writer, equipment maintenance, and parts associate. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary for persons employed as Motorcycle Mechanic (49-3052) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $37,450 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2022 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageAllIndustries/OEWResult?A=01&GA=000025&OG=493052&Dopt=TEXT). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled motorcycle technicians in North Carolina is $19.85 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Motorcycle Mechanics). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $16.35 and $14.10, respectively.
77 ) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI prepares graduates for entry-level careers using the provided training. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than those listed.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

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