Motorcycle Mechanic School

Whether you want to work on all motorcycles or a specific manufacturer, this is where you want to get started! Find the right motorcycle mechanic school for you and the answers to any questions you may have.

How to Become a Motorcycle Mechanic

Motorcycle mechanics need to be on top of their game at all times because of the special connection motorcycle owners have with their bikes. It is well-known that motorcycle owners have a similar relationship with their bikes as some people have with their pets. Therefore, when a bike is given to a mechanic, ultimate care is demanded. How do you get to the point where your skills are trusted with such a task? Here’s a hint, motorcycle mechanic school. Read on to find out more!

What to Expect in Motorcycle Mechanic Training

Just like most types of mechanic jobs, being a motorcycle technician can be tough on the body. If you historically do not have the physical ability to work with your hands and be on your feet for most of the day, that will be your first step. It is important to be physically able before you start motorcycle technician school. This is so you do not spend all the time and money that it takes for motorcycle repair school and not be able to use the training in the long run.

Within the actual motorcycle mechanic training, there are a few key things to note. As stated above, motorcycle mechanic school will include a large amount of hands-on training. Many schools will offer two types of motorcycle technician programs; a general motorcycle repair program and a specialized motorcycle repair program. The general is the necessary program as it lays the foundation for all others.

From there, you will see specialized programs which focus on specific manufacturers such as Harley Davidson or Ducati. So, you can stop after the general motorcycle mechanic training and work on a vast amount of bikes but specialized mechanics often have an easier time finding a job and can often demand higher pay. Make sure you know what specializations your desired motorcycle mechanic school offers so you can get the training you need.

Motorcycle Mechanic School List

These are the locations of motorcycle repair schools so you can gain your motorcycle mechanic training through either small engine mechanics, motorcycle tech, powersport technology or other programs to get you working on motorcycles:

Wallace Community College

1141 Wallace Drive
Dothan, AL 36303

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Motorcycle Mechanics Institute - Phoenix

2844 West Deer Valley Road

Phoenix, AZ 85027

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Arkansas State University - Newport

7648 Victory Blvd

Newport, AR 72112

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College of the Ouachitas

One College Circle

Malvern, AR 72104

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Pulaski Technical College

3000 W Scenic Dr

N Little Rock, AR 72118

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Los Angeles Trade-Tech

400 West Washington Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90015

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Motorcycle Mechanics Institute - Orlando

9751 Delegates Drive

Orlando, FL 32837

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Georgia Piedmont Technical College

495 North Indian Creek Drive

Clarkston, GA 30021

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College of Western Idaho

5500 East Opportunity Drive

Nampa, ID 83687

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Iowa Lakes Community College

19 S 7th St

Estherville, IA 51334

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Central Louisiana Technical Community College

4311 South MacArthur Drive,

Alexandria, LA 71302

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Washington County Community College

One College Drive

Calais, ME 04619

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Prince George’s Community College

301 Largo Road

Largo, MD 20774

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Motoring Technical Training Institute

1241 Fall River Avenue

Seekonk, MA 02771

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Kirtland Community College

10775 N Saint Helen Road

Roscommon, MI 48653

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Minnesota West Community & Technical College

401 West Street

Jackson, MN 56143

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Central Lakes College Brainerd

501 West College Drive

Brainerd, MN 56401

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Alexandria Technical & Community College

1601 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, MN 56308

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Hinds Community College

608 Hinds Blvd

Raymond, MS 39154

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Southeast Community College - Lincoln

8800 O St.

Lincoln, NE 68520

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BMW Headquarter Facility

250 Chestnut Ridge Rd.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

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College of Technology at Canton

34 Cornell Drive

Canton, NY 13617

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Central Carolina Community College

1105 Kelly Dr

Sanford, NC 27330

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Forsyth Technical Community College

2100 Silas Creek Pky

Winston-Salem, NC 27103

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North Dakota State College of Science

800 6th Street North

Wahpeton, ND 58076

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Auburn Career Center

8140 Auburn Road

Painesville, OH 44077

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Terra State Community College

2830 Napoleon Road

Fremont, OH 43420

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Washington State Community College

710 Colegate Drive

Marietta, OH 45750

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Canadian Valley Technology Center

6505 E Hwy 66

El Reno, OK 73036

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Central Technology Center

3 CT Circle

Drumright, OK 74030

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Moore Norman Technology Center

4701 12th Avenue NW

Norman, OK 73069

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Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology

540 N Harrison Road

Bellefonte, PA 16823

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Salt Lake Community College

4600 S Redwood Rd

Salt Lake City, UT 84123

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Green Mountain Technical & Career Center

738 Rte. 15 W

Hyde Park, VT 05655

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River Bend Career & Technical Center

36 Oxbow Drive

Bradford, VT 05033

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Bates Technical College

2320 S. 19th

Tacoma WA 98405

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Academy of Careers and Technology

390 Stanaford Road

Beckley, WV 25801

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Madison Area Technical College

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

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Fox Valley Technical College

1825 N. Bluemound Drive

Appleton, WI 54912-2277

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Moraine Park Technical College

235 N National Avenue

Fond du Lac, WI 54936

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Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

505 Pine Ridge Drive

Shell Lake, WI 54871

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Chippewa Valley Technical College

620 W Clairemont Ave

Eau Claire, WI 54701

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Trade Schools Near You

Motorcycle Technician School Locations

Steps and Qualifications to Become a Motorcycle Mechanic

Objectives of Motorcycle Technician School

Here’s what you can expect to learn at a motorcycle mechanic school:

  • Shop Safety and Procedures
  • Motorcycle Electrical Systems
  • Four Stroke Engine/Transmission
  • Motorcycle Chassis and Drive Systems
  • Motorcycle Tune Up
  • Special Topics in Motorcycle Repair
  • Motorcycle Service Principles
  • Field Experience

Certifications Acquired in Motorcycle Mechanic Training

As with most mechanic programs, when you finish motorcycle repair school you can earn a variety of awards or certifications. Most motorcycle mechanic schools only provide certificate level training. There are level 1 and level 2 certifications available which are granted as a more specialized training to lead to or accompany a more general associate’s degree. Along with that, some motorcycle technician schools will offer an associate’s degree in motorcycle mechanics/technology.

Both of these options are great although one may fit your situation better than the other. If you know all you ever want to work on is a motorcycle, then an associate’s degree is perfect. On the other hand, if you are unsure whether you will desire to work on motorcycles forever, a general automotive technology degree with a certificate in motorcycle mechanics might be best! Keep this in mind when choosing your motorcycle technician school.

Motorcycle Repair School Qualifications

Similar to the certifications, the qualifications you will need to get into a certain motorcycle mechanic school will vary from school to school. For example, most motorcycle repair schools will have a minimum high school GPA requirement while some may only require a high school diploma or a GED. Along with that, a majority of motorcycle mechanic schools require students to have an eligible drivers license which is a good idea to have if you plan on working on cars in general! Lastly, some schools will go as far as requiring an interview within their admissions process. Be sure to contact your desired motorcycle technician school to ensure you know what is needed of you in order to attend.

Motorcycle Mechanic Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017), motorcycle mechanics are going to be more in demand in 2026 than they are now. Although, the profession is not growing as fast as general auto mechanics. That being said, there are certain regions that are better for motorcycle mechanics due to weather. It will be easier for a motorcycle mechanic to get a job and stay busy in Phoenix, AZ than in Fargo, ND. So, there are many different variables that go into how successful you can be in this profession. After graduating from a motorcycle mechanic school and starting your career, you can expect to earn about $36,000 according to the BLS.

Motorcycle Mechanic School FAQs

How much does motorcycle mechanic school cost?

As with many things, this will vary depending on which school you go to and your personal situation. Disregarding scholarship opportunities, motorcycle repair school can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000. Some of the more expensive motorcycle technician schools will likely provide more within the cost such as tools, safety gear, shop uniform coveralls, and more. Keep in mind, there are many scholarships and grants out there for students going to motorcycle technician cost, we even have our own grant for aspiring mechanics!

How long does it take to become a motorcycle mechanic?

The length it takes to become a motorcycle mechanic varies from student to student and from each different motorcycle mechanic school as everyone has different learning and teaching styles. In general, it will take 1 to 2 years of motorcycle mechanic training to be certified to work full-time. If you are taking the apprenticeship route, it can take even longer to be fully certified but you will be working the entire time.

How do I become a certified motorcycle mechanic?

There are many different ways to become a certified motorcycle mechanic. First of all, there is the formal education route with many different motorcycle repair schools all across the nation. Another major route is through on-the-job training. There are two regular types of on-the-job training, apprenticeship or informal training. Apprenticeship is a more formal training experience with a set end-date and program. On the other hand, informal training on-the-job normally takes place when someone gets in at the ground level mopping floors and just picks up jobs as they can learn.

What is the best motorcycle mechanic school?

Perhaps the most well-known motorcycle mechanic school in the nation is Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI in Phoenix and MMI in Orlando) by Universal Technical Institute. This is a result of the well-established programs they have and the multitude of manufacturer partnerships they have acquired. These specializations include; Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and BMW. So, they have made a name for themselves by providing a specialization for almost every desire!

How much do motorcycle mechanics get paid?

Motorcycle mechanics get paid an average of $35,680 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017. This will vary from location to location as well as mechanic to mechanic. Some locations naturally have more motorcyclists which drives more traffic to shops and the more motorcycle mechanic training you have the higher pay you can demand.

How much do MMI graduates make?

According to Simply Hired, the average salary of an MMI graduate is $64,269. This is much higher than the average salary of motorcycle mechanics showing that the extra investment in training really pays off. Keep in mind, this is not an exact or a guaranteed number. This was estimated from a number of submissions to Simply Hired.

Motorcycle Mechanic School List

These are the locations of motorcycle repair schools so you can gain your motorcycle mechanic training through either small engine mechanics, motorcycle tech, powersport technology or other programs to get you working on motorcycles:

Motorcycle Technician School Locations

Alabama

Wallace Community College

Arizona

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute – UTI Phoenix

Arkansas

Arkansas State University – Newport

College of the Ouachitas

Pulaski Technical College

California

Los Angeles Trade-Tech

Florida

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute – UTI Orlando

Georgia

Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Idaho

College of Western Idaho

Iowa

Iowa Lakes Community College

Louisiana

Central Louisiana Technical Community College

Maine

Washington County Community College

Maryland

Prince George’s Community College

Massachusetts

Motoring Technical Training Institute

Michigan

Kirtland Community College

Minnesota

Minnesota West Community & Technical College

Central Lakes College Brainerd

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Mississippi

Hinds Community College

Nebraska

Southeast Community College – Lincoln

New Jersey

BMW Headquarter Facility

New York

College of Technology at Canton

North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College

Forsyth Technical Community College

North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science

Ohio

Auburn Career Center

Terra State Community College

Washington State Community College

Oklahoma

Canadian Valley Technology Center

Central Technology Center

Moore Norman Technology Center

Pennsylvania

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology

Utah

Salt Lake Community College

Vermont

Green Mountain Technical & Career Center

River Bend Career & Technical Center

Washington

Bates Technical College

West Virginia

Academy of Careers and Technology

Wisconsin

Madison Area Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College

Moraine Park Technical College

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College