It takes special training to become a motorcycle repair technician. Diagnosing issues with bikes involves different approaches than those used for cars.
Training Courses
While face-to-face training is the choice for many, some choose to attend motorcycle repair school online. These courses feature personal instructors offering helpful videos, virtual simulations, and practical exercises for real-world experience.
Featured Trade Schools
Time
How Long Does Training Take?
Most trade schools offer programs you can finish in under a year. The Penn Foster classes above range from 3 months to 7 months depending on your pace.
Long term, building competency and skills can take up to three years or more, depending on your aptitude for the work and your training path. Employers are often willing to invest in additional certifications and training for those with proven skills.
How Much Does it Cost?
Formal training through trade schools or industry organizations can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,000 or more, depending on the program.
If you’re training with a mechanic, you’ll receive wages for your assistant work while learning new skills and repair techniques. However, employers like certified workers, as it cuts down on training time when they need to hire a new mechanic.
Coursework
What Do You Study?
Whether you’re training under a seasoned motorcycle or small engine mechanic or taking a certification course, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of the trade and how to use the tools and products necessary for engine repair and upkeep.
Formal training programs may include topics like:
- Engines & Transmissions
- Precision Measurement
- Chassis & Suspensions
- Electrical Systems
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Engine Troubleshooting and Noise Diagnosis
- Electrical Diagnostics
Certain motorcycle manufacturers offer certification for their brand of bikes, too. Expanding your expertise to popular motorcycle brands like Honda, Yamaha, and Harley Davidson or specializing in repairs for specific types of motorcycle engines is an excellent career option.
Benefits
Why Take Motorcycle Repair Program?
Employments Advantages
Many motorcycle mechanics enter the trade with only a high school diploma. However, most employers prefer to hire those who have earned certificates or diplomas through trade schools or community colleges.
Learn More
Motorcycle repair school teaches students how to service complex motorbike engines. Recruits clean carburetors, check valve clearances, and swap out chokes. They also replace blocked or missing overflow pipes that can cause costly fuel leaks.
Get a Head Start on the Job
Many companies require new or inexperienced workers to undergo apprenticeships. Completion takes anywhere between six months to three years, depending on the trainee.
In order to perform most warranty work, mechanics must attend classes run by manufacturers and dealers. These workshops inform students of the proper way to service brand-specific cars and their unique issues.
Those who have attended a motorcycle repair class usually catch on quicker at job sites than those who have not.
Requirements for Motorcycle Repair Training
Students will likely need a high school diploma or GED for academic programs. Those training with a mechanic will have to meet the shop’s requirements, but most employers will want trainees who have finished high school or an equivalent diploma. Math skills, manual dexterity, mechanical aptitude, and customer service experience are all important factors in becoming a motorcycle mechanic.
Salary
How Much Money Can You Make?
The average salary for a motorcycle repair mechanic is about $44,740 per year. However, your skills, training, certifications, and location can affect how much you make.
| State | Per Hour | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22.67 | $47,160 |
| Alaska | $20.67 | $42,990 |
| Arizona | $24.31 | $50,560 |
| Arkansas | $20.40 | $42,440 |
| California | $26.09 | $54,270 |
| Colorado | $23.73 | $49,360 |
| Connecticut | $21.92 | $45,600 |
| Florida | $24.66 | $51,290 |
| Georgia | $19.99 | $41,590 |
| Idaho | $20.17 | $41,950 |
| Illinois | $21.79 | $45,320 |
| Indiana | $21.44 | $44,590 |
| Iowa | $20.93 | $43,540 |
| Kansas | $19.37 | $40,290 |
| Kentucky | $20.78 | $43,220 |
| Louisiana | $23.16 | $48,170 |
| Maine | $23.12 | $48,080 |
| Maryland | $23.33 | $48,530 |
| Massachusetts | $23.80 | $49,500 |
| Michigan | $23.43 | $48,740 |
| Minnesota | $21.95 | $45,650 |
| Mississippi | $17.90 | $37,230 |
| Missouri | $19.60 | $40,770 |
| Montana | $20.40 | $42,430 |
| Nebraska | $22.65 | $47,100 |
| Nevada | $23.82 | $49,550 |
| New Hampshire | $24.07 | $50,060 |
| New Jersey | $26.11 | $54,300 |
| New Mexico | $15.67 | $32,590 |
| New York | $23.25 | $48,360 |
| North Carolina | $23.92 | $49,750 |
| North Dakota | $23.16 | $48,170 |
| Ohio | $22.97 | $47,770 |
| Oklahoma | $20.30 | $42,220 |
| Oregon | $24.82 | $51,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $22.20 | $46,170 |
| Rhode Island | $21.94 | $45,620 |
| South Carolina | $21.57 | $44,870 |
| South Dakota | $21.12 | $43,940 |
| Tennessee | $20.62 | $42,880 |
| Texas | $21.12 | $43,930 |
| Utah | $25.28 | $52,580 |
| Vermont | $22.24 | $46,260 |
| Virginia | $25.67 | $53,400 |
| Washington | $24.09 | $50,110 |
| West Virginia | $19.73 | $41,050 |
| Wisconsin | $25.93 | $53,930 |
| Wyoming | $24.04 | $50,010 |
Occupation:Motorcycle Mechanics (SOC Code493052)
source: data.bls.gov
Keep in mind that the peak season for motorcycle repair is Spring and Summer, but major repair work and engine rebuilds often support mechanics through the offseason.Full-time workers in the field often enjoy the following job benefits:
- 401(k) retirement plans
- Life insurance
- Healthcare coverage
- Paid time off
- Sick leave
- Retirement plans
- Vision and dental coverage
- Discounts on vehicle accessories and parts