MMI

[FireFly]

Hey, I'm seriously considering attending MMI. Can anyone with experience with the school share their oppinions about it? I suck at math and don't know if this will be a big disadvantage. Is it worth going there? Does the institute really help you the way it claims it can? Will it really help to get a job immediatly in the industry? Is it worth the money? How much is the tuition? I got the packet info in the mail from them. I'm thinking about the orlando campus. Is Arizona a better campus? I figure I'm obsessed with bikes and getting paid to work on them sounds like the Shiznit plus I'll know whether or not I'm doing shit the right way or the wrong way. Does anyone know if the snap-on tool kit you get when you graduate is adequate to do most jobs or is it a no frills deal? Thanks for any oppinions or advice anyone can offer.

[Karaya One]

There is NO money in the bike industry.

Be prepared to be making 10 bucks an hour at a shop when you get out.

There is a school in Rhode Island if you want to commute...

[RandyO]

almost everybody I know that works in a bike shop never gets to ride

[FireFly]

whats the name of the school in Rhode Island?? THanks

[Karaya One]

I can get it for you. One of my customers went there for his schoolimg.

[SVRACER01]

i went to mmi you get what you put into it. you could totally half ass your way through the whole thing and learn absolutly nothing. but if you go and concentrate on school and ask lots of questions and put forth a valient effort then yes you can learn ALOT. they are right though, dont expect to come out be be making a million dollars (exaggeration) but if you try to get a job in the industry while you are going to school then your "paying your dues" early and get that experience that much sooner. HD is where the $ is at unfortunatly. i went to AZ where the M/C industry is booming and you can find a job there maybe being a lot tech, then maybe a bike assembler etc.
the AZ campus just put up a new building that doubles the size of the school. 3 M/C dynos, atv dyno and i think a snomobile dyno.
there is money out there you just have to find it. most likley you wont find it here but maybe Cali, or FL, AZ, TX hope that helps a little

[FireFly]

Thanks bro.. Hey man I was the guy who asked you all those questions about MMI at OReo's party a month or 2 ago. I remember you talkin bout how weird Harly's are with torque specs I think. HOw much was the tuition at MMi? WOuld you recommend it? DO you think its worth the investment? I'm not tryin to make millions but the idea of making a living workin on bikes sounds Sweeeeeet. BTW, did you get the snap-on tool kit at the end of the program? Is it capable of tackling most jobs? or is it a drill and a hammer type package? Thanks

[Hardcore]

Originally posted by FireFly
. BTW, did you get the snap-on tool kit at the end of the program? Is it capable of tackling most jobs? or is it a drill and a hammer type package? Thanks

you can pretty much get any snap on tools you want (except for the big stuff + electronics) for 50% off list price up to $7500. limit
this includes kits but you must review the kit to make sure there isn't a lot of bullshit like hammers,files,etc,--pick + choose
(I used to teach at UTI--who now owns MMI)

[HBerry]

You taught?

[SVRACER01]

YOU TAUGHT AT UTI???!!!

i was suspended from that school 3 weeks into it. that was why i originally went to AZ

as for tools. Yes. the tools are a BASIC set of tools. (wrenches, sockets screwdrivers etc.) you can get away with them when doing things like assemblies or BASIC bike maint. like oil changes, basic tune ups like plugs etc. if you already have tools then usually there is someone there that will buy them from you. i actually went twice. the first time i got craftsman stuff, the 2nd time i got snap off stuff, i sold the snap off kit tool box and all for like $350. Your goal should be to ALWAYS be buying tools. if you borrow a tool, then write it down so you know what to buy. you will get your tools after you finish you basic clinics. in the clinics they provide tools for you. in the electives they will provide any special tools you may need. again, if you use a special tool, write it down. it might be too expensive to buy right away but at least you will have it on your list. in the real world, other techs will let you borrow tools... but only a couple times. rule of thumb...if you borrow it 3 times.. BUY YOUR OWN.
yes its a good investment if you are serious about it. if your looking to just learn how to work on your own shit then it might be a little expensive for that. if you can justify the reasoning to yourself then its worth it. i dont know how much it cost me but i know i will be paying FOREVER (exaggeration.. pay back cost isnt that much)
you do get a discount from snap off but the hitch is you CANT go in and say "i need this screwdriver" and get a discount. you have to buy a set of screwdivers to get the discount. you will discover that there are some things that you can buy at sears that are just as good as snap on... and you will also discover that some items dont compare to snap on. an allen wrench is an allen wrench but craftsman screwdrivers suck compared to snap on. just an example.
if you are serious about this as a career then DONT look anywhere else. like AMI. they ARE NOT supported by all the manufacturers, which may not seem like a big deal but would you rather learn how to do valves on something produced in the last decade or the last century? MMI gets new stuff all the time and most likely youll get to touch it....maybe

[FireFly]

Thanks Alot for the Info.. Much appreciated

[Hardcore]

Ya I taught!!!!!!!!!

but I was TOO HARDCORE + real world for the (management)Pussies!!!!!!!!!!
the students told me I was the BEST instructor they ever had!!

they don't call me the jolly GENIOUS for nothin' ya know!!

[Karaya One]

Firefly -

Motoring Technical Training Institute - (401) 434-4840 - 54 Water St, East Providence, RI 02914

He had a very good experience there. HD and Jap bikes. New stuff, too. About 8K a year.

[FireFly]

Thanks for the school info in R.I. I'm gonna check it out.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by RandyO
almost everybody I know that works in a bike shop never gets to ride

One of my best friends was a top parts guy at Cycles 128. He would always have to work weekends, I think Sunday was his only day off... He barely rode at all because he couldn't get away from work. He made a career change and he's never been happier, and has all weekend to ride now.

As far as working in the industry, I can say that he was their best parts guy, and made that place a lot of money. Because he was a rider/racer he would really take his customers seriously, order the right part, make sure it got shipped on time, etc. Since he left he orders parts from there and even his orders get screwed up. So, I think attention to detail and good customer service is key.