Qualities of a Good Motorcycle Repair School

Qualities of a Good Motorcycle Repair School
Individuals planning to have a successful career as a motorcycle mechanic may consider enrolling in a motorcycle repair school. Duties of motorcycle mechanics include maintaining, inspecting, repairing, and overhauling of motorcycles and other similar modes of transportation: motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Mechanics are responsible for different kinds of repair and service duties such as engine repair, transmission work, ignition work, brake jobs, and even minor repairs. Because most motorcycle mechanics work for dealers that service a number of makes or models of motorcycle, they have a tendency to specialize in servicing only the type of vehicles that are sold by their employer.

Requirements for a trainee mechanic position vary greatly from one employer to another. Some employers expect their applicants to have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some are more lenient in that they accept even those with less education provided that they have math, reading, and writing abilities. However, because motorcycles are becoming far more complex, applicants with a diploma or a certificate from a motorcycle repair school often have a greater advantage. This is why more and more are choosing to enroll in this type of trade school so that they can become a certified motorcycle mechanic.

Aspiring motorcycle technicians can either opt for a technician diploma or an associate degree in mechanics. A technician diploma is generally completed in 6 to 12 months, while the associate's degree program can be completed in 1 to 2 years. Although both options are sufficient enter this field, those who finish an associate degree generally have a more extensive knowledge base, giving them a potential edge in the hiring process.

In a certificate program, which is highly focused, motorcycle mechanics are required to complete a coursework that concentrates on 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. Students are considered to have learned the complete mechanic process once they complete training in which they learn about the tools used in the field and safety skills. Typical courses that they can expect to learn in a certificate program include duel systems, ignition systems, exhaust emissions, troubleshooting techniques, and repair procedures.

In an associate's degree program, students learn not only the fundamentals of repair but also other important things. Students learn to work with snowmobiles, foreign motorcycles, and several other types of motorized vehicles. They are equipped with the whole process of how to troubleshoot, repair, and improve a motorcycle as well as other small engine vehicles. Typical courses include Frame Welding, Accounting, Hydraulics, Business Law, and Repair Shop Safety. A combination of mechanics and business-oriented courses like these prepare students not only to work as a technician in a shop but also to manage their own business.

Because there are many technical schools offering motorcycle repair courses, aspiring motorcycle technicians should know how to carefully choose the school that can help them reach their full potential and guarantee their success in the industry. They should look for at least four essential qualities of a good training facility.

First, and perhaps most important, a good technical school should give their students plenty of opportunities for hands-on training. Clearly it is when students work with their own hands fixing motorcycles that they learn the most. Second, a good motorcycle repair school is one that offers the most up-to-date repair classes. This can ensure that students will have the proper training on repairing modern motorcycle engines.

Another thing for students to make sure of is that they attend in a school with highly qualified instructors. Excellent motorcycle repair instructors are often those that have many years of experience in the field. Finally, a good motorcycle repair school is one that helps their graduates land a good job. This way, students are assured that they will not only receive a proper training on motorcycle repair, but that they will also have a good start in this field.

Andy West knows that a good motorcycle repair school not only provides proper training to their students, but also helps them in establishing their career.

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By Andy West