Next Start

June 23

GRADUATE TESTIMONIALS

From Tinkering on Bikes to Getting Paid for Motorcycle Work

"It's not a little bit of your life. It was one of those things I had to fully commit to. It was one of those things I had to make huge drastic changes in my life in order to make it happen. "

*As part of the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) family of schools, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) began operating under the UTI brand in February 2025.

Around 8 years ago, Gregg West purchased his first motorcycle, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. He says his passion for motorcycles came from the freedom the bikes provided, letting riders hop on and explore.

He started tinkering on his bike and discovered it was something he enjoyed doing – so much so that today, working on motorcycles as his career.

“It got exciting because I could actually take it apart and put it back together without having any extra parts,” says Gregg. “It blossomed into, 'Oh, you can actually make money off this, and you can actually do something with this.' There was way more of a path.”

Gregg purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle next. He decided school was the best next option for him to continue working on motorcycles and start making a professional career out of it. An Arizona native, Gregg enrolled in the Motorcycle Technician Training program at UTI Phoenix.

He graduated in 2015 and has been working with motorcycles ever since.1Today, he's a technician at Desert Wind Harley-Davidson, surrounded by bikes just like the ones he loves to own.

How UTI Helped Gregg Grow a Motorcycle Career

Gregg took two Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) courses at UTI, for Harley-Davidson and Honda HonTech. Gregg says the programs were intensive because there was so much to learn, but they prepared him for his role today.

Gregg says part of what has made him a successful motorcycle professional was the supportive instructors at UTI. Gregg says his instructors gave him answers that helped him find appropriate solutions. He had teachers who helped him see his potential in the career field and led him in the right direction.

For students who are considering the motorcycle program or who are attending it today, he says it's important to be aware of the dedication the program requires in order to succeed.

Gregg says, “It's not part-time. It's not a little bit of your life. It was one of those things I had to fully commit to. It was one of those things I had to make huge drastic changes in my life in order to make it happen.”

Gregg says he had a lot of personal life changes happening while he was in school, which he attended while working a full-time job. While the schedule was demanding and time-consuming, he's grateful to have stuck with it and to have gotten to where he is today.

A Daily Life Working on Bikes

Gregg has been at Desert Wind Harley-Davidson for about a year now, having come from an aftermarket shop and previously working at Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson. He works on oil changes, tires, batteries, testing, tech support, diagnosing motorcycles – a little bit of everything.

Gregg says in 5 to 10 years, he hopes to have master tech certification and more of a grasp of the where the motorcycle industry is heading.

“I'm really excited to see where the industry is going because it seems like everyone is starting to compete a little more with each other a little bit closer,” Gregg says. “The older technology is getting out of the door, so it's interesting to see where the leaders are starting to take points.”

For students who are looking to find a job in motorcycles like Gregg, he advises that it's important to make yourself stand out to employers. Gregg called his service manager every day for 2 weeks to put himself out there and make a name for himself, to show that hunger that can impress employers.

“There are new people every 6 weeks who want a job, so you have to remember if you're not serious about it and you don't want it, there's somebody else who does,” Gregg says.

If you're interested in a career in working on motorcycles, contact UTI for  motorcycle school information


A New Career Path Starts Here

Take 60 seconds and find out how you can get trained.

1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.6) UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on personal credentials and economic factors. Work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer and their compensation programs affect wages. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.8) Does not include time required to complete a qualifying prerequisite program such as UTI’s 51-week Automotive Technology program.9) Does not include time required to complete a qualifying prerequisite program such as UTI’s 45-week Diesel Technology program.10) Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.11) See program details for eligibility requirements and conditions that may apply.14) Incentive programs and employee eligibility are at the discretion of the employer and available at select locations. Special conditions may apply. Talk to potential employers to learn more about the programs available in your area. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.15) Manufacturer-paid advanced training programs are conducted by UTI on behalf of manufacturers who determine acceptance criteria and conditions. These programs are not part of UTI’s accreditation. Programs available at select locations.18) UTI now offers all of its automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine technician training in a blended-learning format consisting of online lecture courses along with in-person, hands-on lab training.20) VA benefits may not be available at all campus locations.21) GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.24) UTI prepares graduates to work as entry-level automotive service technicians. Some graduates who take NASCAR-specific electives also may have job opportunities in racing-related industries. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.79) UTI aviation maintenance programs prepare graduates to apply and test for FAA mechanic certification. Graduates who don’t obtain certification may have fewer career opportunities. Some graduates get jobs in aviation or related industries other than as aviation maintenance technicians. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment, salary or FAA certification.128) UTI will pay for certain third-party FAA certification exam fees for qualifying students. See catalog for details and requirements.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

*Registration Fee Waiver will apply to any student who enrolls by July 31, 2025, with a start date between March 31, 2025, and September 25, 2025.

Privacy PolicyLegal NoticeAccessibilityDisclosures

Do Not Sell My Personal Information