who works in a sled or dirt bike shop?

[TheHoneyBadger]

I am a senior in high school this year and after i graduate i would like to become a small engine mechanic and work in a small town shop. My question for you guys is for any of you who are small engine mechanics or work in shops is how did you get started and what steps did you take to make this your career? Thanks in advance for any information you have.

 

[SEAKM8]

Pm'd you

 

[Gimpster]

If you want any info, I can help also. I have been doing this recreational vehicle technition pretty much all my life. I was employed with Honda dealers for 24 years alone and then some. Bikes boats jetskis ATVs in many dealerships. Many award certificates for accomplishments along the way including Honda Red Level tech etc... Enough awards that I have no more room on my basement walls to place more. I have been a judge for upcoming new techs under VICA and Skills USA competition programs on a state level, also. I own my own shop and can give you some pointers. PM me. I can advise you from getting started, basic and advanced tools, to aquiring business licenses.

I'd be happy to assist.

----- Gimpster -----

 

[SLEDIOT]

If you want any info, I can help also. I have been doing this recreational vehicle technition pretty much all my life. I was employed with Honda dealers for 24 years alone and then some. Bikes boats jetskis ATVs in many dealerships. Many award certificates for accomplishments along the way including Honda Red Level tech etc... Enough awards that I have no more room on my basement walls to place more. I have been a judge for upcoming new techs under VICA and Skills USA competition programs on a state level, also. I own my own shop and can give you some pointers. PM me. I can advise you from getting started, basic and advanced tools, to aquiring business licenses.

I'd be happy to assist.

----- Gimpster -----

WOW!!! Sounds like you should apprentice the kid. He sounds like h has ambition. Most youngsters are only interested in tail and partying.....

 

[Rob1334]

WOW!!! Sounds like you should apprentice the kid. He sounds like h has ambition. Most youngsters are only interested in tail and partying.....

Who's to say the Gimpster isn't into tail and partyin???????

 

[Himark]

My GF does and gawd damnnn can she turn a wrench.

 

[Gimpster]

Who's to say the Gimpster isn't into tail and partyin???????

My halo IS a little tilted... just a little

----- Gimpster -----

 

[Snowizard]

.............. I have been a judge for upcoming new techs under VICA and Skills USA competition programs on a state level, also.
----- Gimpster -----

Good on ya' Gimp, myself as a former Technical College/Community College Electronics Instructor, I had students every year for decades compete in VICA. Its a great career, and confidence builder.
I think VICA has a different name now days. (I've been retired 9 years.)

Great to have employers support up and coming young technical people in all kinds of trades areas.

 

[xrated]

WOW!!! Sounds like you should apprentice the kid. He sounds like h has ambition. Most youngsters are only interested in tail and partying.....

who says it's only kids into that!

 

[Gimpster]

Good on ya' Gimp, myself as a former Technical College/Community College Electronics Instructor, I had students every year for decades compete in VICA. Its a great career, and confidence builder.
I think VICA has a different name now days. (I've been retired 9 years.)

Great to have employers support up and coming young technical people in all kinds of trades areas.

Thanks

----- Gimpster -----

 

[burndown]

I'm the service advisor at a large Polaris shop now. Started working as the lot rat at the local Honda, Yamaha, and Polaris shop in small town that I'm from when I was 15. Once they found out that I wasn't an idiot and could wrench (my dad was sledding, riding motorcycles, and building cars before I was even born) they started letting me pdi and do small service jobs, then I moved on to bigger and better jobs and places. Be patient, work hard, be dependable and honest, and you'll move up quickly. Just get your foot in the door at a local shop and go from there. You'll be way ahead of 95% of the young guys out there if you work hard and show up every day. It took me 14 years to get where I'm at, but I oversee techs that are quite a bit older than me now and I can't think of a better job to be in for a young guy (I'm 29). Good luck!

 

[PJ-Hunter]

My brother and several other techs that I know went to MMI in Arizona. It's one of the best schools around and just being a graduate there will get you in a lot of doors and to the top of interview lists.

 

[Lt Rascal]

I went to MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) in Phoenix, Az. to get certified in Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Honda. I now have a Gold certification in Yamaha. But I do not do it for a living any more. For me I lost interest in it after 2 years of working on other people’s toys all the time. I would go home and people would call me wanting me to look at this or can you fix that tonight. Or go up riding and have anyone that knows you come up and want you to fix the stuff on the hill. Don’t get me wrong I will still help out if some thing goes wrong. But since I do not work at the shop not as many people know I can wrench so I can ride a lot more then I did. My own toys started to show neglect. You know the saying “A shoe cobblers kids are the ones with out shoes”. Any way now I do it on the side and help out at the shop my brother when they need some help. Works better for me.

My little brother went done to MMI and got certified in Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley, and BMW. It took him 2 ½ years but well worth it. Part of MMI’s deal is any time in your life time that you want a new job at a shop you call them with a list of shops that you are interested in and they will contact the shop and recommend you. It is awesome.