is wyo tech motorcycle mechanic program worth the money?

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cycleshopwest

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MMI is the only school that offers certification in all of the major manufacturers. The quality of instructors, training aids and tools at MMI is far better than Wyotech.

Since everything is going to fuel injection, with computers controlling everything on new bikes, atv's, watercraft, etc. a dealership needs to hire people who have the proper factory training. The days of using a screwdriver to tune a bike are soon to be over. Now you have to be able to use a laptop computer if you want to fix a new Harley.

And don't listen to that whiner who said don't be a tech. If you can't ride motorcycles all year in your neighborhood because of the snow, that's okay because MMI will teach you how to fix snowmobiles, too. Sure, there are salesmen that make more than some techs, but the amount of money you make depends on the amount of education you have. If you know how to diagnose any electrical problem or if you're certified on all the new models, you'll have enough work available to make as much money as you want. I know several guys here in Florida that make more than 100k per year. Oh, and they GET TO RIDE BIKES EVERY DAY, and get paid for it.

If you can't earn a good living as a tech then you're really not that good at it and need to do something else.

EDIT - Orange County Choppers? That's your rebuttal? Those idiots are the biggest joke in the industry. For your information, only two of the guys went to Wyotech and they FLUNKED OUT. Now neither of them work there any more, one opened up an unsuccessful shop of his own with another disgruntled employee and the other decided to go to college instead of wrenching. And where are you getting your statistics about average salaries? The lowest site I've found is Payscale.com and they show salaries in the 40's. Yes, I will agree that if all you can do is change tires, oil and clutches then YES you'll make about 30k per year in a small or mid-sized shop. But you don't need to go to school to learn how to change tires and oil, or do you?

Dude, un-wedge your panties from your crack and try to have a more positive outlook on life. Learning how to work for the power company will have you working during ice storms and hurricanes, taking a chance on losing your life every day. Sure, you'll make more money that way, but I'd rather be test riding a Hayabusa or dyno tuning an Ultra Glide than perched up on a pole during an ice storm. But that's just me...

EDIT 2 - My apologies for the name-calling. I completely agree with your statement about motivation. Just like any field of employment, the rate of success is based on the motivational level of the individual, not the average income of others in the same field. If you're going to be in Central Florida, send me an email and I'll buy you dinner (or give you a gift certificate if you don't want to hang out with a cranky old guy with a bad attitude...)
 
I want to work on sport bikes for a living and keep seeing wyotech commercials...I havent looked into it yet but assume its like 20k for the education...after how will it prepare me for a career and do employers respect them or is there a better way?
 
i think it's a reputable way for a cycle mech. career.

for the weekend home mechanic, probably not worth it.
 
I graduated from Wyo Tech (formerly known as American Motorcycle Institute) Daytona Beach, FL. I loved my time there and I learned alot, but, that was back in 1980, so, I can not possibly tell you what it is presently like, or costs. They have a website, contact them and ask for some info.
I will tell you about "motorcycle technician" as a career, DON'T DO IT. After you pay thousands for training and tools the salesman in the front room who has no training or tools will make more money. The work also tends to be seasonal, and has a high turn over rate, go try to find an old mechanic at any shop. while many shops have some health benefits (if you pay a large chunk of them) almost no shops offer any kind of retirement (probably because no one stays that long). TRUST ME ON THIS go to a tech school and become an electrician, get a job with the power company or phone company. Or find something in the energy field it will be big in the future. OK OK, if you want to work on bikes go ahead, but, just do it as a hobby.

EDIT: Regarding Mr. "Cycleshopwest's" reference to me as a whiner, I asure you that I am not. In the two shops I have worked in during the last 29 years I have seen many mechanics come and go (MMI and AMI) where you go to school has nothing to do with it. Sure there are a few techs out there making big money, for instance, the Orange County Chopper guys on TV (Wyo Tech trained by the way). However, most techs earn about 30,000 per year, if you don't believe me look it up, there are websites that provide average income figures for almost every form of employment. You asked about motorcycle technician as a career,and I'm saying is that there are better ways to make a living, more money, better benefits, and retirement.

2nd EDIT: Mr. Cycleshopwest, My reference to OCC was not a rebuttal, I was agreeing with you that yes there are a few who make big money as bike technicians. As for the $30K figure for average pay I checked again on several sites and that is the average that they are showing. As for MMI vs AMI or any of the many other motorcycle programs that have recently opened around the country, I think you'll agree that success has more to do with the indiviual than the school they attend. At AMI I studied hard, while some of my classmates sat there stoned, I'm sure at MMI you noted similar experiences. Personally, yes, I should get a better outlook on life. Its just a little difficult right now as I sit here 54 years old with Parkinson's disease, (no doubt from years of exposure to exhaust fumes, carb cleaner, brake dust, etc.etc.), but I'll ride as till I can no longer stand. Maybe I'll see you on the road someday :)
 
I graduated from Wyo Tech (formerly known as American Motorcycle Institute) Daytona Beach, FL. I loved my time there and I learned alot, but, that was back in 1980, so, I can not possibly tell you what it is presently like, or costs. They have a website, contact them and ask for some info.
I will tell you about "motorcycle technician" as a career, DON'T DO IT. After you pay thousands for training and tools the salesman in the front room who has no training or tools will make more money. The work also tends to be seasonal, and has a high turn over rate, go try to find an old mechanic at any shop. while many shops have some health benefits (if you pay a large chunk of them) almost no shops offer any kind of retirement (probably because no one stays that long). TRUST ME ON THIS go to a tech school and become an electrician, get a job with the power company or phone company. Or find something in the energy field it will be big in the future. OK OK, if you want to work on bikes go ahead, but, just do it as a hobby.

EDIT: Regarding Mr. "Cycleshopwest's" reference to me as a whiner, I asure you that I am not. In the two shops I have worked in during the last 29 years I have seen many mechanics come and go (MMI and AMI) where you go to school has nothing to do with it. Sure there are a few techs out there making big money, for instance, the Orange County Chopper guys on TV (Wyo Tech trained by the way). However, most techs earn about 30,000 per year, if you don't believe me look it up, there are websites that provide average income figures for almost every form of employment. You asked about motorcycle technician as a career,and I'm saying is that there are better ways to make a living, more money, better benefits, and retirement.

2nd EDIT: Mr. Cycleshopwest, My reference to OCC was not a rebuttal, I was agreeing with you that yes there are a few who make big money as bike technicians. As for the $30K figure for average pay I checked again on several sites and that is the average that they are showing. As for MMI vs AMI or any of the many other motorcycle programs that have recently opened around the country, I think you'll agree that success has more to do with the indiviual than the school they attend. At AMI I studied hard, while some of my classmates sat there stoned, I'm sure at MMI you noted similar experiences. Personally, yes, I should get a better outlook on life. Its just a little difficult right now as I sit here 54 years old with Parkinson's disease, (no doubt from years of exposure to exhaust fumes, carb cleaner, brake dust, etc.etc.), but I'll ride as till I can no longer stand. Maybe I'll see you on the road someday :)
 
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