Motorcycle Repair
Hundreds of thousands of motorcycles are on the roads today. And along with a large population of motorcycles comes a demand for qualified technicians and mechanics with repair and modification skills. Our motor cycle repair home study programs are designed to provide you with the skills you could need to begin a career as a Motorcycle Repair Technician. Develop these skills and more:
- Perform inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs.
- Work with engines, ignition systems and electrical circuits.
- Inspect and repair frames, steering, and suspension.
- Work with brakes, wheel assemblies, and tires.
Our motorcycle repair courses cover major makes from Harley® to Suzuki®, plus ATVs and snowmobiles. They explain procedures more thoroughly than ordinary motorcycle repair manuals and will help prepare you to work on large variety of motorcycles.
Penn Foster Career School 
Ashworth College 
Motorcycle Repair Careers and Opportunities Overview
Motorcycle repair careers usually begin with a love of small engines and machinery. Although a formal education is not a prerequisite to be a motorcycle mechanic, most employers prefer technicians with proper training and experience. In the present job market, a technical degree or certificate in motorcycle repair can greatly improve your employment prospects.
Educational Requirements
Motorcycles are complex machines needing expert maintenance and repair to stay in top riding condition. A high school diploma or GED may be enough to get a job in a motorcycle repair shop; however, certificates and diplomas from accredited colleges and technical schools are highly-regarded by employers. A quality apprenticeship or a few years of practical experience will further improve your prospects for career employment.
Some motorcycle service technicians start out as lowly apprentices and learn on the job. This may be fine for people with little ambition and no solid plans for the future. A more efficient way is to sign up for accredited courses in motorcycle repair. You can learn everything required to start your professional career and earn motorcycle repair certificates that verify your expertise.
Don't fall for courses taught by unqualified individuals. Legitimate classes in motorcycle repair are generally taught by certified mechanics with years of practical experience. The U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission advise students to choose only licensed and accredited schools to ensure a genuine motorcycle repair education.
Any accredited course builds a solid educational foundation for a motorcycle repair career. You can learn the essentials at a technical school or community college, and online training is also available. Motorcycle repair courses can last from several months to three years or more. Some classes cover the basics of general auto mechanics and small engine repair, and others will focus specifically on motorbikes.
The classroom setting lets students network with other motorcycle enthusiasts and gain valuable hands-on experience repairing small engines. One of the greatest advantages to classroom learning is exposure to job opportunities. Employers often look to technical schools to find graduates who are expertly qualified to repair motorcycles.
Another good way to advance your career is to become certified in repairing certain brands of bikes. Several companies -- Harley-Davidson, for example -- will endorse manufacturers' certification courses. These brand-specific courses help students learn advanced motorcycle repair methods and gain valuable credentials for motorcycle repair careers.
Salary and Pay
The typical setting for a job fixing motorcycles is a motor vehicle dealership or a small engine repair shop. Other venues include government repair facilities and home-based businesses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), motorcycle technicians typically earn around $10 to $24 per hour, with the median annual wage averaging $31,980.
Career Opportunities
An Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the BLS predicts faster than normal increases in all types of small engine repair employment between 2010 and 2020. The BLS forecast specifically expects motorcycle repair jobs to rise by 24 percent. Additionally, the BLS handbook affirms that people who seek motorcycle repair jobs can advance their marketable skills with post-secondary education and related training.
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