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TheHoneyBadger
Well-known member
I am interested in going there next year and am wondering if anyone on here went to MMI in Phoenix, if so how did you like it, and how was your experience there?
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
- Thread starter TheHoneyBadger
- Start date
Not trying to rain on your parade or squash you dream but with the economy the way it is and if you have your heart set on being a mechanic maybe you should take a look at something more like diesel mechanics or something. RV, dirtbike, quads, snowmobile etc. dealers typically don't pay their mechanics much and with the down turn in the economy I don't think the RV based dealerships are doing very well.
If that's where your passion is and making enough money to buy any of those things isn't a big deal to you then go for it. Again, not trying to be an azz just food for thought is all.
If that's where your passion is and making enough money to buy any of those things isn't a big deal to you then go for it. Again, not trying to be an azz just food for thought is all.
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Gimpster
Guest
I have seen techs come out of there who had no previous experience in the field before going in, struggle once hired at a dealer.
I have stated this before and will say it again. I will hire someone with experience way before I hire someone from there.
With all the TV shows about bikes and builders etc... enrollment is up at these schools. They are rushing students through to make room for more, to make their enrollment bucks. I heard that many students pass through the coarses that should have been failed. Feel sorry for dealers who get these individuals.
You'll pass if you enroll, but dealers are becoming aware of the result product turned out from these places. As mentioned before, economy as it is the trade is slowing down. I've seen McDonalds offer more money to start working for them than new techs can make when entering the field with dealers. Going on your own fresh out of these places, you're going to struggle.
----- Gimpster -----
I have stated this before and will say it again. I will hire someone with experience way before I hire someone from there.
With all the TV shows about bikes and builders etc... enrollment is up at these schools. They are rushing students through to make room for more, to make their enrollment bucks. I heard that many students pass through the coarses that should have been failed. Feel sorry for dealers who get these individuals.
You'll pass if you enroll, but dealers are becoming aware of the result product turned out from these places. As mentioned before, economy as it is the trade is slowing down. I've seen McDonalds offer more money to start working for them than new techs can make when entering the field with dealers. Going on your own fresh out of these places, you're going to struggle.
----- Gimpster -----
A buddy just finished up there he loved it, rode alot, crashed alot, made alot of friends, he says thats it, he still cant find a job, and people dont really hire you just cause you went there like they say, job placement ya right! He would have been better off starting at the bottom somewhere and would be further in a shop by now, he has been offered two jobs at $8 an hour after finishing school. Wrong business right now, all these other replys in here are right, do somethin else... IMO money not well invested, not bashin on it im sure its worked out well for some, but he doesnt even know anyone that has landed anything worth while after the investment and couple years of school
a few of my friends went there about 8 years ago. they struggled to find jobs then and when they did they werent making much. in my opinion its not worth the $$$$ it cost to take the course. youd be better off starting somewhere at the bottom and working your way up, thats what i did and im making more than the guys that went to that school,and im not having to pay student loans.
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whittaker727
Well-known member
I went there from 95-97 and then worked in the industry until 2000 when I realized that I was starving to death while trying to support a family. I too had to take a job (granted this was in 98) for $8.00 per hr. and slowly over the next couple of years worked my way up to a whopping $12.00 per hr. Before you go and make a commitment, take a day and go around to your local shops and ask the service managers what a journeyman tech makes per hr. The best thing I got out of the class was a lot of good friends and the knowledge to fix own motors, chassis' and wiring problems.
My boss owns a marine dealership.
I do not know what the mechanic compensation is, everyone is handled one on one.
Good mechanics are hard to come by, so we wont let one slip away just to save money.
I do know that.
Our shop was ruined last summer in a storm, so we are in the process of building a newer larger one.
So if anyone wants to work on....
Outboards, I/O's, Ski boats, Sea Doos etc
pm me
We are in NE SoDak with excellent fishing & hunting (deer, ducks, geese, pheasant etc)
The only down side is that it's a ways to travel to the mountains.
I do not know what the mechanic compensation is, everyone is handled one on one.
Good mechanics are hard to come by, so we wont let one slip away just to save money.
I do know that.
Our shop was ruined last summer in a storm, so we are in the process of building a newer larger one.
So if anyone wants to work on....
Outboards, I/O's, Ski boats, Sea Doos etc
pm me
We are in NE SoDak with excellent fishing & hunting (deer, ducks, geese, pheasant etc)
The only down side is that it's a ways to travel to the mountains.
G
Gimpster
Guest
Marine techs, now there is a career. Myself, I kind of liked working marine. Did it along with bikes etc... for years. Rigging motors, kickers, lower units, overhauls and rebuild, carbs, fuel injection, hull floor transom rebuilding (lots of fiberglass work), livewells, I/O, anodes. Personally I have not touched a boat for 8 months. Thought about doing some marine in my shop but I am too limited for space.
Last dealer I worked for I was at $23 an hour with 15% commission on my turned out labor. Slow months total labor a month for the shop I turned out was around $12,000 best I turned in labor was $34,000. Hours were long and work was tough. Hardly any time for myself.
Marine is a good field to get into if you are self diciplined and outgoing.
----- Gimpster -----
