| Author | Message | ||
     Ochoa0042 |
Planning to become a motorcycle mechanic with MMI and Im torn on which place to go to.... Florida of Arizona? I was planning on going to florida this month for school, but just talking to the administration they say the soonest class starts in march. Which threw off all of my plans because I would like a sooner registration. I live in texas and it will be a big move no matter which place I go. Arizona has classes starting this month which is good but I have done the research on Orlando and not Phoenix. How is Phoenix? good place to live? no hurricanes, whats the weather like? Whats the demographic there? is it a fun place to be? Im leaving tomorrow to orlando to check out the place and see some apartments see the night life and feel of the city. But now since the the plans have been jacked because of admissions i might as well check out phoenix too, check out the city, nightlife and whatknot. MMI orlando is a 'sister' to MMI Phoenix. MMI Phoenix is the greater of the two schools and admissions said kinda poor remarks about orlando campus. Anyone been to then and mind sharing their experience? Next to think about is what trade to shoot for.. Harley/Buell or Big Four.. I would have more to offer if I shoot for a Big Four plan, if I go for lets say kawasaki; I will learn dirtbikes, superbikes, quads, and cruisers. and all of that knowledge can be shared with honda, yamaha, and suzuki because they are the cookie cutters. learn one, learn em all! Harley/Buell program, my best efforts will be learning the all american v-twin and the new helicon just two wheeled bike. Sure I love my buell, but does that constitute the opportunity of the Big Four's integration? I regress.... | ||
| Oldog |
I would presume better riding around phoenix, the best equipped school is the best choice, I am supprised that the materials did not cover all makes, for the price I would that. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
James, Phoenix, this time of year, is hot, pizza oven hot! Although today it isn't to bad. 365 riding days, there is a group of Buellers who used get together for weekend rides. I would call the school as far as leads for housing, there are plenty of apartments around. Finding the right one for your likes shouldn't be a problem. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Both are hot but I can tell you from experience it's the humidity that makes the difference. 90 in the south is worse than 105 out west. When I was working in TX I thought people were messing with me when they told me how hot it was, coming from the Gulf Coast the dry heat was nothing. Also all the roads in Florida are straight. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Phoenix, FTW. I moved to Phoenix from Pensacola Florida 5 weeks ago and cant tell you how happy I am. Florida is frickin depressing. The heat in Phx is nothing compared to Florida's heat + humidity. Plus, the weather in Phx is already starting to break. Short summer this year, I guess. Youll be closer to tons of cool stuff in Arizona. (Vegas, Cali, etc) Plenty of tracks, kulture, nightlife, great places to eat, twisties, etc etc etc. Get up with me when you get to Phx. We'll take a ride. (Message edited by torquemonster on August 10, 2009) | ||
| Nik |
While I can't speak on MMI specifically; I've heard bad things about those types of schools (UTI (owner of MMI?), wyotech, etc). You end up spending as much as you would for a full 4 year degree from an accredited university and end up no better prepared than taking vocational classes at the local JC for cheap. I've even heard from two Lexus dealer techs and an independent shop owner that graduates of such programs are of much lower quality than those who just attended to local JC. Like I said, I only have second and third hand knowledge and that's on the automotive side of things. It could be different with bikes. Just make sure you do your research, with sources outside of their recruiting information. It would suck to spend that much and end up doing oil changes for barely above minimum wage like one guy I know (especially if you have to take out student loans...) | ||
| Ratyson |
^^ Adding to what Nik said, I would also talk with techs in your local area and see if the pay schedule is what you expect.. I have learned some interesting things from talking with mechanics about how they are paid... ie: # of hours in the shop >> # of hours paid.. | ||
| Vortec57 |
I have friends who went to MMI and came out knowing a lot and are great techs. we have a "tech" at our shop that is an MMI grad and cant even wash a bike and do a good job. Kinda depends on how much you know going into it as to how much you might get out of it. Not a bad idea to check into other local JC type schools and get an education on the cheap. | ||
| Rick_a |
The money you make at a dealership is generally dependent on how far away you are from any of these campuses. The problem is that (these days) most employers won't even look at someone without credentials from one of these schools, often ignoring past experience. Every brand has it's nuances...they are not all the same by any means...however, with a solid knowledge base they all operate similarly. Even different models from different manufacturers have their quirks. It's all stuff that can be learned either through schools, others, or experience. Bottom line, if you're technically astute and have some mechanical inclination the appropriate service manual is all you'll ever need...but that (unfortunately) generally won't get you hired. I was one of the top students of my graduating class at Orlando (there were three of us with 4.0 GPA's)...and while I've had little problem staying employed, the people with the most success seem to be the ones that have stayed far away from these campuses, as the market for fresh students is completely saturated across AZ and Florida. ETA: I don't know much about Arizona, but if you're against bad drivers, featureless roads, laws that target motorcyclists, getting wet daily, and seasonal hurricanes, Florida is not for you. (Message edited by Rick_A on August 10, 2009) | ||
| Fast1075 |
Yup, Florida is HOT...steamy...are you tough enough?? Orlando night life is as good as any body's. And Daytona beach is only 45 miles or so east... Not all roads in Florida are straight...MOST roads are straight...but there are some good twisties if you know where to look... Pay for mechanics...unless things have changed a LOT since I locked up my professional toolbox...you get paid a percentage of each job based on flat rate. If you are good and fast, you make a ton of money....but you don't get paid for callbacks...you eat those...so if you are slow or fast and sloppy, you make little. | ||
| 14d |
Phoenix is alright. It's HOT, but its a dry heat  . As long as you have a job where you're in ac in the summer its not too bad (ie not road work in june!). There's a trackday almost every month at Firebird raceway, and ASU is supposed to be one of the biggest party schools and the coeds are fine. Doesn't rain much and you can ride all year round. Texas to AZ sounds like an easier transition then Texas to Florida IMO. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I went to UTI a sister school to MMI. and personally I wouldnt recommend my worst enemy go there!!!!!! Not to sound like a hot head but I learned the majority of what that school teaches in my high school auto tech class! (graduated UTI with a 4.0 GPA) Of course, I did pick up some good info here and there, but over all I don't think it was $25K worth of good info. Only thing it really did was help me get a job with Benz. Worked there 5 years....and guess what....I HATED IT!! Well, not at first, but the last half of my employment was a joke. Getting a check for 22 hrs when you put in 50 sucks! If it was all customer pay work, it would be GREAT! But warranty will F you over harder then one would think should be legal! Flag hours F'n suck! mainly because all the shit warranty jobs! Ive since left that crap joint for a city job....much ,much better :-) I HIGHLY suggest going around and talking to techs face to face away from any managers! It might just save you some big bucks down the road. Good luck my friend. If I could do it over I'd go to a "real" school! but if your dead set on going the tech route, id go to a cheaper school and about 6 months before your graduate, go talk to some dealers. get your foot in the door and keep in contact. If you do that, you don't need an overpriced piece of paper from MMI/UTI to get in the door. DON'T believe anything the UTI/MMI recruiter tells you! thats another complaint from me right there...but off my soap box I go! Good luck! -Robert www.xblights.com | ||
| Jramsey |
H-D's one and only Technical Training Center located in Frontenac, Kansas produces drain plug strippers and service writers. But what the Hell does a stripped drain plug matter if you forget to put the oil in!  | ||
| Bartimus |
I'm one of the "local" buellers here in Phoenix. It is seriously hot here, this time of year. I went to MMI back in the 90's, they didn't have Buell back then.  Rah has a good point, I've made better money off the skills I learned in the service than I ever could working on bikes. The riding IS good here, it just takes an hour before you get to any curves, but there sure are some tasty curves to be had! I've got a big ride planned in September. If your here by then you should try to attend. Check out the AZ thread in the storm fronts for more info... | ||
| Hr_puffinstuff |
i went to MMI in Phoenix about a million years ago. being from WI, i LOVED the weather. however, after awhile, i felt like i was living in America}'s largest kitty litter box, as nothing green can live without throwing money (in the form of water) at it. TONS of good info, but i was admittedly clueless going in. don't trust the recruiters, they're all full of shit. ditto for the "job placement program" just remember that you are there to LEARN, and then keep your eyes on the prize. and don't drink the tap water | ||
| Badlionsfan |
If ya like the dry heat, go to az. If being sweaty all the time is what you enjoy, Florida is all for you. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
im listening  | ||
| Too_tall_ss |
Well it's either old people, dry heat, mountains and twisties, or old people, sweat, strait roads and it's nicknamed Whorlando for a reason.  | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I am going to MMI too and me and my wife was trying to decide which school would be better to go to. We decided on the Orlando one because I am originally from Louisiana and i figure Florida weather is closer to Louisiana that AZ is. Besides the new 9/11 gi bill pays more money to me in Florida than AZ. But who knows We may change our minds because i still have at least 18 months before i get out of the army but I am definatly going to MMI when i get out. (Message edited by firebolt020283 on August 13, 2009) |
