Mmi - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

CrazySpyder69 · 08-06-2006, 07:13 PM

Well I have been having trouble finding a motorcycle mechanic school in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The only ones I have found were in Flordia Houston and Austin. Hell, I dont even want to move out of Arlington.

So my question is, Does anyone know of any other schools im missing? What about an internship? Would this be beneficial for me in the long run? As in not having a degree/paper diploma?

I have done some work for a guy who owns a shop around here, I was going to go up there and talk to him to see what I could do, but I couldnt find the darn place. He also said I wouldnt make a whole lot of money working for a shop, But the only way I could make alot of money is owning my own shop. Is this true? Why dont Motorcycle Mechanics make alot of money?

My Dad doesnt want me to go to school for this. He wants me to start a business with him. But honestly I would much rather do something I LOVE for the rest of my life.

Thx in advance. My head has been spinning all summer over this. Its bad enough I missed this semester already.

**87gsxrnut** · 08-06-2006, 07:24 PM

MMI = Shake-n-bake

- Nut

CrazySpyder69 · 08-06-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

MMI = Shake-n-bake

- Nut

Am I missing something here?

DrBob · 08-06-2006, 08:50 PM

Here in GA many of the comminity colleges and state technical colleges offer motorcycle mechanic training. Have you checked for programs at those kinds of schools around you?

He's right, by the way: motorcycle mechanics don't get rich. Taking the national average, they start as low as $8.10 and hour and make an average of slightly less than $13 an hour. The Metroplex in Texas is pretty close to the national average for salaries. so with a few years experience you can look forward to about $27,000 a year. This is well below the state average of all salaries, which is $36,000+ a year.

Most shops charge $50-75 an hour, so the potential to make more is there if you own your own shop. But then again, statistically speaking if you open your own shop there is less than a 50% chance it will still be around in 3 years, and less than a 1 in 10 chance that it will still be around in ten years.

The thing about owning your own shop is that being able to repair motorcycles is a secondary consideration: to be succesful, you have to know how to run a business.

IncubusIncarnate · 08-07-2006, 04:42 PM

I've been looking into that kind of thing recently too. Would there be a better chance of making a better salary at an authorized dealership? For example, working for Honda/Kawi/Zuki. I'd like to work on both ricers and cruisers, but i've heard of low pay which makes me very hesitant.

DrBob · 08-07-2006, 05:27 PM

Mechanic jobs at dealerships pay a little more on average, but only because they generally require almost 5 years experience before you can even apply. Compared to other mechanics with the same experience, dealership mechanics do not make any more cash, but have better benifits and more job security.
If you absolutely love to work on motorcycles, have strong mechanical aptitude, excellent manual dexterity, excellent visualization skills, good hearing, and good eyesight, go for it. Loving what you do is more important than a big paycheck.

IncubusIncarnate · 08-07-2006, 05:31 PM

What ever you say DoctorBob, lol, not everyone needs a big paycheck.

**87gsxrnut** · 08-07-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Am I missing something here?

Yeah. You can't "make a mechanic" in just a few months. I was a "shade tree" mechanic that could run circles around those MMI grads. I know, becasue they would always be asking ME how to fix stuff. And I was getting paid the same. That's OK, because I was making more than the stealership pukes. I wouldn't do it again. It isn't glamorous at all.

- Nut

CrazySpyder69 · 08-08-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBob

Here in GA many of the comminity colleges and state technical colleges offer motorcycle mechanic training. Have you checked for programs at those kinds of schools around you?

.

Yes I have checked with no luck.

I do love to work on motorcycles but maybe not as my main objective since it pays so little. Maybe ill take a few classes for my personal mechanical experience.

Well thx for the help guys.

chadrob30 · 08-08-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Loving what you do is more important than a big paycheck.

Quote:

What ever you say DoctorBob, lol, not everyone needs a big paycheck.

Ummm....no kidding? I think that's what he's trying to tell you.....

DrBob · 08-08-2006, 03:18 PM

I big pay check is overrated, and no paycheck is big enough if you hate your job. Do something that makes you happy. Besides, if you hate what you do, you will never be very good at it, and you will loose that big paycheck eventually anyways. Life is too short to not be happy.

IncubusIncarnate · 08-08-2006, 05:58 PM

Woah, i guess i was really misunderstood there. I got what DrBob was saying, i was just trying to make a joke (poorly, apparently) about how a Doctor (someone who gets paid alot) can say big paychecks aren't always good. I felt i should be able to complain since i'm in the military and get paid around $0.70 per hour.

**87gsxrnut** · 08-08-2006, 07:31 PM

I thought it was "DR" Bob - as in Suzuki DR.

I DID get your joke though.

- Nut

DrBob · 08-09-2006, 04:10 PM

Actually, it is "Dr", as in "doctor". But I’m the 'PhD' kind, not the 'MD' kind.

I wanted to go to be a medical doctor, but I just didn’t have the patients.

I got the joke too, by the way.

**87gsxrnut** · 08-09-2006, 09:53 PM

HAW HAW!!!

- Nut

08-06-2006, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
CrazySpyder69 Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Soon to come... Location: Arlington, Tx Posts: 65	Mmi Well I have been having trouble finding a motorcycle mechanic school in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The only ones I have found were in Flordia Houston and Austin. Hell, I dont even want to move out of Arlington. So my question is, Does anyone know of any other schools im missing? What about an internship? Would this be beneficial for me in the long run? As in not having a degree/paper diploma? I have done some work for a guy who owns a shop around here, I was going to go up there and talk to him to see what I could do, but I couldnt find the darn place. He also said I wouldnt make a whole lot of money working for a shop, But the only way I could make alot of money is owning my own shop. Is this true? Why dont Motorcycle Mechanics make alot of money? My Dad doesnt want me to go to school for this. He wants me to start a business with him. But honestly I would much rather do something I LOVE for the rest of my life. Thx in advance. My head has been spinning all summer over this. Its bad enough I missed this semester already.

08-06-2006, 07:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	MMI = Shake-n-bake - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

08-06-2006, 08:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Here in GA many of the comminity colleges and state technical colleges offer motorcycle mechanic training. Have you checked for programs at those kinds of schools around you? He's right, by the way: motorcycle mechanics don't get rich. Taking the national average, they start as low as $8.10 and hour and make an average of slightly less than $13 an hour. The Metroplex in Texas is pretty close to the national average for salaries. so with a few years experience you can look forward to about $27,000 a year. This is well below the state average of all salaries, which is $36,000+ a year. Most shops charge $50-75 an hour, so the potential to make more is there if you own your own shop. But then again, statistically speaking if you open your own shop there is less than a 50% chance it will still be around in 3 years, and less than a 1 in 10 chance that it will still be around in ten years. The thing about owning your own shop is that being able to repair motorcycles is a secondary consideration: to be succesful, you have to know how to run a business. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-07-2006, 04:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
IncubusIncarnate Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: 2001 Kawasaki ZR-750 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 84	I've been looking into that kind of thing recently too. Would there be a better chance of making a better salary at an authorized dealership? For example, working for Honda/Kawi/Zuki. I'd like to work on both ricers and cruisers, but i've heard of low pay which makes me very hesitant. __________________ I Never Finish Anyth

08-07-2006, 05:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Mechanic jobs at dealerships pay a little more on average, but only because they generally require almost 5 years experience before you can even apply. Compared to other mechanics with the same experience, dealership mechanics do not make any more cash, but have better benifits and more job security. If you absolutely love to work on motorcycles, have strong mechanical aptitude, excellent manual dexterity, excellent visualization skills, good hearing, and good eyesight, go for it. Loving what you do is more important than a big paycheck. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-07-2006, 05:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
IncubusIncarnate Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: 2001 Kawasaki ZR-750 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 84	What ever you say DoctorBob, lol, not everyone needs a big paycheck. __________________ I Never Finish Anyth

08-08-2006, 03:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	I big pay check is overrated, and no paycheck is big enough if you hate your job. Do something that makes you happy. Besides, if you hate what you do, you will never be very good at it, and you will loose that big paycheck eventually anyways. Life is too short to not be happy. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-08-2006, 05:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
IncubusIncarnate Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: 2001 Kawasaki ZR-750 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 84	Woah, i guess i was really misunderstood there. I got what DrBob was saying, i was just trying to make a joke (poorly, apparently) about how a Doctor (someone who gets paid alot) can say big paychecks aren't always good. I felt i should be able to complain since i'm in the military and get paid around $0.70 per hour. __________________ I Never Finish Anyth

08-08-2006, 07:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	I thought it was "DR" Bob - as in Suzuki DR. I DID get your joke though. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

08-09-2006, 04:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Actually, it is "Dr", as in "doctor". But I’m the 'PhD' kind, not the 'MD' kind. I wanted to go to be a medical doctor, but I just didn’t have the patients. I got the joke too, by the way. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-09-2006, 09:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	HAW HAW!!! - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

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