MMI - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
October 28th, 2005 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"Many of us have had the experience. You have a problem with your bike, it’s a tough job, you don’t have the tools or the time, the know-how or perhaps you just would rather have it done for you because there are other things you need to do. You get to the bike shop, probably your dealer but maybe an independent shop and you go to the service department. You start explaining what the trouble is and they give you a quick brush off or tell you “We’ll take care of it,” but you know they won’t. Something isn’t right. More times than you might realize, the guy you’re about to turn over your pride and joy to is clueless. He hasn’t had the training or experience to perform an oil change safely let alone diagnose anything difficult.
Dealers feel your pain, really. Finding that good mechanic is tough, holding on to him even tougher. There aren’t enough of them and everyone knows it and poaching from other shops isn’t uncommon. What to do?
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute is working hard to be a big part of the answer. You’ve probably heard the name but if you’re like me, you’ve never really closely looked at what they offer. You really should take a minute or two to do so, it’s pretty cool. They work with all of the big guys, Harley Davidson, American Honda, American Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki, to train the interested and motivated individual and get him up to speed, fast. The companies supply the current bikes so the students get hands on time with tools and bikes it would be almost impossible to gain on their own. I like it. There is sometimes this idea that a person needs a college degree to be successful when what they really need is solid training plus some good old fashioned drive and a great attitude.
There are huge benefits on both sides, someone looking to get into the service end of the business has the perfect route to get there and customers, like you and me, feel better leaving our bikes in the hands of strangers when we see they’ve had some training from the pros.
MMI is part of UTI, the Universal Technical Institute which offers a broad line of training including automotive and marine, too, so if you’re the technical type, they’re a good place to look for training and if you need service, maybe a good indicator of the guy you’re about to deal with.
Posted in Motorcycle Business, Workshop & Tools
| Top Of Page
4 Responses to “MMI - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute”
Please read before commenting ...
This is a public forum, NO PROFANITY OR PERSONAL ATTACKS WILL BE TOLERATED! STAY ON TOPIC! All comments are filtered, if yours does not appear, do not resubmit, it has been held for review. Comments may be edited or removed by the moderator. Above all, keep the conversation civil! Thanks.
NOTICE: Comments may be delayed before display.
October 28th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
Hopefully the MMI executives are reading this excellent website.
I currently enjoy my job but would jump at the opportunity to get into the motorcycle industry. I also can’t afford to move temporarily to Phoenix (the closest MMI campus) for a year to become an MMI graduate. MMI would do well with a campus in the Northwest (hint: Seattle) that offers night classes for those wanting to earn their degree while working full-time.
A local technical college has a motorcycle & small engine program but one cannot complete the program via the evening class schedule. An evening/weekend class schedule could be great for the instructors because it would offer after-morning rush hour time to ride, teach a few hours in the late afternoon/evening & go home at a reasonable hour. If a campus is opened in this corner of the country, Sign me up…
November 9th, 2005 at 9:03 pm
I’m a current MMI student in Orlando taking Harley, Yamaha, and Honda. There are those of us who are well on the way to becoming A-techs because of our willingness to learn, job ethic, attendance, and ability to handle constructive criticism. Then there are those who show up for class when they feel like it, have no/poor work experience, rebel against/don’t like authority, and are “cool” ’cause they go to motorcycle school.
This is a profession where the customer’s life depends upon the technician performing the work on the vehicle. Not all who attend these schools realize this.
I am the best of the best
November 14th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
i agree with the previous comment, there are so many dudes who go to this school and miss the maximum time every clinic and still expect to get jobs in the industry. they really need to evaluate who they let in this school a little more. id say from your original theory class 25-40% actually graduate. probaly 5-10% graduate on time
February 8th, 2008 at 4:29 am
well i was wondering if anyone can guide me in getting into MMI.Am a current 6th semester mechanical engineering student from India.My queries are:-
1)how to apply for the admission,
2)eligibility criteria,
3)an associate whether worth full or not after a bachelor degree,
4)the financial aid provided,
5)practical interface.
i would be very thankful if anyone can help me with this queries!!!!
i can provide my email if someone personally want to help me out…..