9 Questions About MMI Motorcycle Answered

Are you a motorcycle enthusiast at heart?

If you’ve ever considered taking your love for working on motorcycles full-time, look no farther than Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI). For more than 40 years, MMI has trained students to pursue careers in the motorcycle industry — whether it’s working for dealerships, repair shops or even taking the independent route and starting businesses of their own.1

Investing in your education is a big decision. If you’re currently in the process of choosing a school, you most likely have some questions. Keep reading to find answers to 9 of the most commonly asked questions about MMI. 

1. Where Do I Need to Go for Training?

MMI has two campus locations: Phoenix, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida. The great news is that both campuses are located in areas that provide year-round riding weather.

If you will be relocating to attend school, MMI offers housing assistance to help you find living arrangements conveniently located close to campus. To learn more about the options that may be available to you, check out our individual Phoenix and Orlando housing pages.

In addition, MMI’s Career Services department has relationships with local employers to help you find part-time work while you train. This can be a great way to cover some of your living expenses while gaining experience to add to your résumé. 

Many students relocate to complete their program and use their training to look for jobs — even those back home — after graduation. If this will be you, know that we can help!

MMI has relationships with national dealerships, distributors and other employers of all sizes across the country. As a graduate, you can take advantage of these connections as you search for employment. We have Career Advisors at each campus who can assist you in your search, whether you’re looking for your first full-time position as a new grad or for a new job later in your career.

2. How Long Is the Motorcycle Training Program?

The Motorcycle Technician training program is 48 weeks long.7 This includes our motorcycle core training and manufacturer-specific courses.

In the program, you’ll learn the foundations of motorcycles and ATVs. You’ll learn to troubleshoot and diagnose engines, and test performance and drivability. Students also can train on personal watercraft, side-by-sides and snowmobiles through manufacturer programs.

How exactly is the program structured? First, you will complete your 18-week core training, which combines hands-on training in our labs with instructor-delivered lectures and demonstrations online. From there, you will choose a manufacturer-specific training program that aligns with your career goals.

After completing your 48-week program, you can further your training by taking additional courses such as Harley-Davidson Early Model and Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle®. Other courses featuring metric motorcycles include Performance and Drivability (dynamometer), as well as Performance Suspension and Chassis. 

Overall, the program is designed to be customized to your specific career path. Whether you dream of working on Harleys or bleed green for Kawasaki, our training can help you jump-start your career in the industry.

3. Do I Need Prior Experience to Be Successful?

Whether you’ve grown up tinkering on bikes or are brand new to the industry, you can find a place at MMI. Some of our graduates have even had prior experience working in the industry but came to MMI to acquire additional knowledge and benefit from the school’s industry connections.

John Maxwell is an example of a grad with no previous experience but who ultimately built a career in the industry. After working in food service for 10 years, John decided to get serious about his love for motorcycles and head to MMI-Orlando. Today, he is a business owner and well-known motorcycle vlogger on YouTube with 178K subscribers.6

Check out John’s inspiring story below:

4. I Like to Fix Up Old Bikes, Especially Harley-Davidsons. Would I Learn This at MMI?

If you choose to take Harley-Davidson Early Model, yes!

Students in this 3-week course have the opportunity to expand their knowledge to include the design, repair and maintenance of Harley-Davidson vehicles dating to 1936. They gain hands-on experience with classic motorcycles in order to follow their passion of working with classic Harley-Davidson® bikes. 

This course is incredibly unique and is only available at MMI. The key to working on an older product is ensuring it is kept as authentic and original as possible, which MMI is able to do through our close relationship with Harley-Davidson.

5. What Manufacturers Are Represented on Campus?

MMI offers six programs created in conjunction with leading manufacturers:

• Harley-Davidson Late Model
• Honda: HonTech
• Yamaha: YamaPro
• Suzuki: FAST
• Kawasaki: K-Tech Specialist
• BMW Motorrad

 As mentioned previously, students may also choose to go on and take the Harley-Davidson Early Model, Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle® or metric motorcycle performance courses to further their training.

Throughout their program, students train with industry-preferred tools and technology, simulating what they’ll experience in the field. In specialized training, they’ll work on bikes and equipment directly from the manufacturer to learn the ins and outs of their specific technologies.

MMI’s manufacturer relationships also give students the opportunity to connect with leading employers, many of whom consider our grads when hiring for entry-level positions.

6. How Much Will the Program Cost?

The cost of your program will vary, depending on the courses you choose to take. To learn more, visit our Tuition page, where you can access our free Tuition Estimator. This tool can help you determine financial aid eligibility and calculate any out-of-pocket costs.

As a student, there are several ways you may be able to lower the cost of your education. These include:

• Applying for financial aid: MMI students can apply for financial aid, which is assistance from the government and private sources to help cover education-related costs.10 To see if you qualify, you must first fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Our team can help you with this process!
• Scholarships & grants: Universal Technical Institute, the parent of MMI, will make more than $15 million in sponsored scholarships and grant money available to students in 2023. To learn more, visit our Scholarships & Grants page, where you can find links to various scholarships.
• Working part-time: Working part-time while in school can help cover living expenses while also providing valuable work experience. MMI has local Career Advisors at each campus who can assist you in your search for a local job that doesn’t interfere with your training.1
• TRIP program: Some employers who hire MMI graduates participate in the Tuition Reimbursement Incentive Program (TRIP). Incentives vary by employer, but may include student loan repayment assistance, hiring incentive packages, tool purchase assistance and sign-on bonuses.¹⁴
  
  

If you have any questions related to finances, know that our Financial Aid team is here to help! We want you to have all of the necessary information to help you feel confident in your decision to train at MMI. Contact us to learn more.

7. Are There Female Students at MMI?

Yes! Women are taking the motorcycle industry by storm, and many choose MMI to complete their training.

Liana Acevedo is an example of a grad who found great success at MMI. While at first she was nervous about coming to Orlando to complete her training, Liana quickly felt right at home. “I felt like we all understood each other. It was almost like we all came from the same place,” she shares.

The community she found on campus is one of Liana’s favorite memories from her time at MMI. She became close friends with her roommate and connected with a lot of other female students who provided a great support system while she completed her training.

Liana received not one, but two Top Tech awards during her time at MMI. She graduated at the top of her class, and today works as a motorcycle technician at one of the largest dealers on the East Coast! Learn more about Liana’s story in this blog post.

MMI students come from all backgrounds and walks of life. If you’re a woman thinking about enrolling at MMI, know that you’ll be in good company!

8. What Types of Careers Do Graduates Pursue?

MMI graduates have gone on to do incredible things in their careers!

Derrick Sorensen took his love for motorcycles to the racing industry. He graduated from MMI on a Thursday and was working at the track with the Rockwell Kawasaki team the very next day. While Derrick has always been mechanically inclined, he credits his education from MMI for getting him to where he is today.

After earning his Harley-Davidson PHD certification, MMI-Phoenix grad Marcus Ellis opened his own repair shop called Terminal Speed. He’s also a custom bike builder who has been invited to Born Free, the world’s largest gathering for riders of vintage custom motorcycles!

Many MMI grads like Aric Boyd go to work at dealerships. Check out his story below:

These are examples of what a few of our grads have done, but know that every graduate’s path is unique. That’s the beauty of the motorcycle industry! MMI’s training is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge you can build on as you follow your passion.5

9. What Does It Take to Succeed?

Many MMI grads and instructors will tell you that success requires hard work, passion and a willingness to put yourself out there and network.

“To really be successful at working on motorcycles, or ‘turning wrenches’ as we call it, you’ve got to really want it and have that internal fire burning that pushes you,” says MMI instructor Jimmy Womack. The passion you have for the industry is what will drive you toward success.

According to MMI grad Chris Drew, it’s all about community. “It’s a community more than a hobby. When you work together, big things can happen,” he shares. For Chris and his wife, Jodi, the motorcycle community is what inspired them to open their shop, Spoke & Dagger Co.

When it comes to your education, you get out of it what you put into it! Work hard, stay focused and take advantage of the resources available to you.

Ready to Start Your Journey at MMI?

MMI’s Motorcycle Technician training program starts every six weeks, so there’s no waiting for next semester! To learn more, visit our program page and request information today. In the meantime, check out these helpful resources:

• Motorcycle Careers
• Traits of a Motorcycle Tech
• Motorcycle FAQs

MMI Campuses That Offer Motorcycle Mechanic Training

• Orlando, Florida
• Phoenix, Arizona