Mechanic Training

Motorcycle 

If you spend most of your free time in the garage tinkering with your scoot, maybe you’re ready to do it full-time for pay! Motorcycle mechanics repair and service all kinds of bikes, from heavy-duty hogs to motor scooters (though many choose to specialize in a particular make or model).

This profession requires a training program that teaches you the most up-to-date technology and techniques. In an entry-level job, you may spend your time on engines, brakes, transmissions, body repairs, and ignition systems. If you like taking bikes apart and putting them back together, this may the career for you.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts job prospects for small engine mechanics who have formal training. In some cases, you may even enroll in a distance learning program and study at your own pace.

Depending on your location, the work may be seasonal, as fewer riders go out in the winter. The median salary for motorcycle mechanics is about $31,980 per year.

** Source. BLS, May 2010

Motorcycle Mechanic Schools

Browse the top motorcycle schools below to find the right school for you:

A good motorcycle mechanic school will teach you how to properly maintain, repair, and overhaul all makes and models of motorcycles, as well as other small engine, and drivable equipment including motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles.

In addition to repairing and maintaining engines, you will learn how to maintain and repair transmissions, brakes, exhaust, and ignition systems, and make minor repairs to damaged sections of the motorcycle’s body.

Motorcycle popularity has increased dramatically in recent years, with a wide variety of drivers riding bikes on weekend tours, shredding off-road, cruising the beach, and even for their daily commute to work. With the increasing cost of gasoline, many people are choosing to drive a motorcycle due to its outstanding fuel efficiency.

TV shows like American Choppers have raised awareness and increased the public’s interest in motorcycle repair and the daily work routines of motorcycle builders. These shows have helped contribute to the surge in motorcycle popularity.

Because of the increasing complexity of motorcycle technology, getting a well-rounded education from a top motorcycle mechanic school continues to play an important role in preparing for a motorcycle mechanic career.

Mastering the Art of Small Engine Excellence

If the growl of a high-performance motorcycle engine is what excites you, turning your passion into a lucrative career is rather simple. Motorcycle mechanic schools are standing by to help you earn the formal training employers prefer in this in-demand field.

Despite a challenging economy and the worst hiring environment in decades, graduates of motorcycle mechanic schools are bucking the trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of small engine mechanics is projected to increase by 12 percent through 2016; that’s about as fast as the national average for all occupations. In the motorcycle servicing industry alone, an additional 2,600 positions are expected to be added over the same statistical period.

Topics of Study

Motorcycle mechanics schools combine the rigor of classroom instruction with hands-on training in technologically sophisticated garages. You’ll learn the basic and advanced techniques of servicing small engines, including transmissions, brakes, ignition systems, and minor body repairs. And you’ll enjoy a variety of instructional deliveries that address every learning style.

Credentials Conferred

There are a variety of post-secondary training programs that specialize in motorcycles and other small-engine vehicles. Most result in a certificate of completion recognizing your competency. Some programs are proprietary in nature, meaning you’ll be recognized as an expert with a particular make or model of motorcycle.

Degree Program Benefits

The primary benefit of a motorcycle mechanic degree program is recognition of the formal training that employers prefer. While actual garage experience is valuable, nothing replaces the benefits of class time–actually studying the latest servicing techniques.

Motorcycle Mechanic Salary

Also known as small engine mechanics, motorcycle mechanics specialize in fixing and performing maintenance work on two-wheel vehicles like motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and dirt bikes. They often diagnose issues with mechanical, electrical, or fuel systems, which could range from minor quick fixes to major overhauls.

It’s important that mechanics pay meticulous attention to detail because the safety of the rider is relying on the mechanic’s ability to correctly identify and fix problems. Motorcycle mechanics also perform routine maintenance checks, which include monitoring the performance of things such as:

• Brakes
• Plugs
• Carburetors
• Fuel injection systems
• Head and tail lights

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following five U.S. states paid the highest motorcycle mechanic salary in May 2010:

1. California: $41,290
2. Hawaii: $39,390
3. Connecticut: $39,380
4. Massachusetts: $38,880
5. Louisiana: $37,960

A motorcycle mechanic salary also depends on the type of place where one is employed. Owning your own business or working for a very small shop will yield a different salary, then if you work for a dealership, gas and service station, or larger chain of shops. Specializing in a particular brand of a motorcycle can also affect earnings. These are some popular brands:

• Harley-Davidson
• Suzuki
• Yamaha
• Honda

Even though this is a highly specialized branch of mechanical repair, the BLS estimates that the need for small engine mechanics will grow by about 7 percent by the year 2018. It stands to reason that the more education and training you have as a mechanic, the better your chance of finding a job at a higher-than-average rate of pay.

Motorcycles and Mechanics

Ducati Motorcycle Mechanic

Ducati prides itself on the quality of its motorcycles. In 2005, its new Hypermotard model received the worldwide “Best Bike for 2005” award by the Motorcycle Design Association. Because of this, they expect their mechanics to be highly skilled. The Ducati corporation even offers awards every year for those who achieve the highest scores in their technical training schools in Bologna, Italy.

Motorcycles today are some of the most complex machines around. And motorcycle mechanics, even more so than automotive mechanics, need a wide range of knowledge and technological skills. This is important because auto mechanics tend to specialize in only one part of the car, whereas motorcycle mechanics need the skills to work on an entire bike. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects will be far better for prospective mechanics that have gone to specialized trade schools or colleges, or obtained vocational degrees. Employers also prefer job candidates who have high school diplomas, although this is not always strictly mandatory.

While Ducati does value employees who have useful undergraduate degrees, it remains important to understand the specific parts and equipment used on their individual motorcycles–which can best be learned at vocational schools or colleges.

If you want to work specifically for Ducati, you need to find a school that specializes in Ducati motorcycle repairs to receive the required training. These courses can sometimes be as short as two weeks of learning new information and practicing on new models. Of course, Ducati motorcycle mechanic schools would be the best choice for those who want a career in Ducati motorcycles.

Honda Motorcycle Mechanic

The number of people riding motorcycles has been increasing regularly for the last decade. Naturally, this can mean steady work for anyone who has learned the skills to become a motorcycle mechanic. Mechanics usually begin by studying in colleges or trade schools, obtaining relevant undergraduate degrees from colleges or schools, or working as an apprentice to an established mechanic.

It is also common for motorcycle mechanics to specialize in working on a certain type of motorcycle. To do this, you will have to attend a course sponsored by a particular manufacturer. The course will usually have an exam at the end, and if you pass, you will get a certificate stating that you are now eligible to work on that particular motorcycle.

However, once you get a job as a mechanic, your employer might send you to these special training courses courtesy of the company. Schools recognized by Honda often receive Honda motorcycles and special tools with which to train students seeking degrees.

As a student, you will learn about the new model features and new technology. For instance, in the last year, Honda motorcycles have made major advances in their off-road capabilities requiring special repairs. Honda has strict service standards for its mechanics, and degrees from Honda-supported Motorcycle Mechanic schools offer a huge competitive advantage when searching for employment.

Since nearly half a million Honda motorcycles are sold each year in the U.S. alone, there is a huge market out there. Keep an eye out for the HonTech® elective, officially endorsed by Honda to help you become an entry-level American Honda mechanic.

Kawasaki Motorcycle Mechanic

A good motorcycle mechanic needs to be able to do everything to keep a motorcycle in top condition. This ranges from routine tasks such as changing the oil to complex engine overhauls. Mechanics tend to learn these skills as an apprentice to a skilled mechanic.

However, this often takes years, and apprentices earn much lower salaries than their mechanic counterparts. In order to decrease the number of years spent as an apprentice, a popular option is to obtain one of the degrees offered by motorcycle mechanic schools.

These pre-apprenticeship courses are available at many community colleges. They last 5-6 months and can help connect you to a good company for your apprenticeship.

Kawasaki motorcycles first arrived in the U.S. in 1965, and are considered one of the “Big 4” motorcycle companies. They place enormous responsibility on their certified mechanics and generally prefer to hire those who have obtained degrees in their own specific Kawasaki Motorcycle Mechanic schools. These schools teach the specifics of each Kawasaki motorcycle model, the unique tools used, and any procedural preferences the company has for its mechanics.

Although many other schools and colleges offer courses in motorcycle mechanics, you must ensure that if your school is not recognized by Kawasaki directly that it at least offers the K-Tech curriculum course. This curriculum is not only officially endorsed by Kawasaki motorcycles, but also specially equipped with current motorcycles by Kawasaki Motors Corp, USA for you to learn and practice on.

Suzuki Motorcycle Mechanic

Motorcycle mechanics must diagnose, repair, and perform routine maintenance on any vehicle that weighs less than 1,000 pounds. They work on electrical and mechanical parts. If you want to become a mechanic, you will need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies involved.

This is especially important in diagnostics, since an owner’s description of the problem may often be vague. These skills can be easily learned at trade schools and colleges, or even in special courses taken while getting undergraduate degrees.

Trade certification will help you enormously when searching for a mechanic job, particularly if you want to work on a certain type of motorcycle. Motorcycle mechanic schools fall into two categories: one is a general course combining theory with hands-on experience; the other is a manufacturer-specific program, such as Suzuki, designed to teach you how to work on one type of motorcycle.

Both of these offer degrees looked on favorably by employers. Suzuki only has one course that is officially endorsed and equipped by the American Suzuki Motor Corporation, and that is the FAST (Factory Authorized Suzuki Training) elective. However, specific Suzuki motorcycle mechanic training programs are offered by many schools and colleges.

Since Suzuki motorcycles dominated at Daytona with a record-breaking race recently, the company is now holding itself to new standards. This means they can afford to be picky about the mechanics they hire at their official dealerships and repair shops. Completing a Suzuki training course will allow you to remain competitive, and appeal to prospective employers.

Yamaha Motorcycle Mechanic

With rising gas prices, more people are searching for alternatives to their gas-guzzling cars, making motorcycles increasingly popular. This means more work for motorcycle mechanics. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Due to the increasing complexity of motorcycles…most employers prefer to hire mechanics who have graduated from formal training programs for small engine mechanics.”

However, if you want to take advantage of one of the most lucrative types of motorcycle mechanic work – warranty work for a manufacturer or insurance company–then you must attend a manufacturer’s sponsored course and obtain one of the offered degrees for a certain brand of motorcycle, such as Yamaha. You can do this at a variety of trade schools and community colleges.

Yamaha considers itself one of America’s most diverse ranges of motorcycles, and therefore if you want to become a Yamaha mechanic you will need to be highly skilled on a wide variety of motorcycles, and proficient in all of the equipment and necessary tools. They also claim to offer the best warranty coverage in the industry and their own certified mechanics.

Therefore, employers prefer to hire mechanics who have already received the relevant degrees for the required work. If you are not able to attend one of the official Yamaha Motorcycle Mechanic schools, then you will need to obtain a YamaPro® elective as a part of your degree’s curriculum – it is the only one officially endorsed and equipped by Yamaha Motor Corp, USA.

It is a 12-week course offered at many colleges and will teach you everything you need to know to become an entry-level Yamaha technician.

** Sources: bls.gov, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Small Engine Mechanics

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Attention! This article is for informational purposes ONLY and is NOT a replacement for professional advice in any way! It is possible that schools updated their information, and you should ALWAYS contact them before making a decision. Course listings are subject to change.

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