How To Start A Motorcycle Repair Shop

Ever dreamed of opening your own motorcycle repair store? If you have a passion for the industry and are eager to share it with others, this could be the perfect career path.

As with any business, starting a motorcycle shop of your own takes time, commitment and determination to get things off the ground. Success requires a strategic plan, and information technology can be helpful to learn from those who accept paved the route earlier you.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute grad Jim Drew is a perfect example of someone who's created their own path in the motorcycle manufacture. After graduating from MMI in 2022, Jim opened up a shop of his own chosen Hingham Bicycle, which he still runs today.¹

Proceed reading to learn all about Jim's story, as well every bit his tips for aspiring motorcycle techs and shop owners.

Get to Know Jim Drew

Jim'south passion for motorcycles started when he was very young. He grew up riding dirt bikes around his house and spending time with his dad and his friends, who were as well motorcycle enthusiasts. As soon as Jim got his permit, he began riding on the street and has been riding always since.

While Jim had always loved motorcycles, he didn't pursue it equally his career in the starting time. He spent fourth dimension working on vehicles and equipment for diverse industries, including construction and belongings management.

In 2009, all the same, Jim decided it was time for a career change. He wanted to break into the motorcycle industry, and knew he needed formal preparation if he wanted to turn it into his full-time career.

Having spent time around the motorbike scene, Jim was familiar with MMI and knew several people who had attended the school. He started researching different schools and eventually decided that MMI was the right place for him.

"What drew me to MMI was the fact that the programs had manufacturer backing," he shares.

Jim didn't know exactly where he wanted to have his career at the time, but he decided that becoming a factory-trained technician would be the best option for him, as information technology could open the door to a career at a dealership or requite him the credibility he needed to open up his ain shop after downwards the road.

Training for the Motorcycle Industry

In the fall of 2009, Jim packed his bags and headed to Florida to start his preparation at MMI Orlando!

His prior experience was mostly in working on Harley-Davidson^® bikes, but MMI gave him the opportunity to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. "I made a lot of neat connections that I still keep in bear upon with today," he says.

According to Jim, the relationships he formed while at MMI are 1 of his nearly valuable takeaways. If he ever comes across something he's unfamiliar with, he has people he can call on who will point him in the right direction. "You tin can't put a cost tag on that," he shares.

As far as his training goes, Jim loved spending fourth dimension in the classroom and lab. According to him, the classrooms were laid out nicely, the bikes were in expert condition and there were plenty of tools to go around for all of the students. His simply complaint was that he wishes the days were longer!

Jim too enjoyed learning from his instructors. "The staff was extremely knowledgeable and willing to help y'all with what you lot were doing in form or that projection you had going on at habitation," he says.

From MMI Student to Shop Owner

After graduating from MMI in 2022, Jim headed back dwelling to Massachusetts and immediately began working on the layout and build of his first store. He graduated in September, and in November, Hingham Cycle was born!⁵

successful motorcycle shop interior

"Information technology was all a learning procedure in the commencement," he shares. Jim had to learn how to arrange his store in a way that optimized efficiency as well as all of the things that come up with being a business owner, such as developing work orders, understanding the legal diction of service authorizations and finding the all-time suppliers for parts.

Jim enjoyed the process and seeing his dream come to life. When he first opened, he worked on any and everything—no matter the manufacturer or blazon of work it was. For a menstruum of fourth dimension, he had a scattering of employees who helped him with the growing amount of piece of work coming in.

Eventually, Jim decided to scale dorsum and make the transition from a public to a private shop so he could focus more on his true passion — working on bikes. Now, he works with a select group of clients, many of whom he has had from the very starting time.

Transitioning to a private concern model has allowed Jim to provide the best care for each one of his clients. Whenever they take a problem, they can phone call him and within 24 hours, he has their bike on the lift.

"I wanted to accept care of the people who were taking intendance of me," Jim shares. While he never turns a bullheaded eye to anyone who comes through his door, his clients are his number one priority.

From oil changes, brakes, and tires to detailing and installing accessories like stereos and speakers, Jim does it all. He has fifty-fifty expanded into automotive piece of work, every bit many of his clients take vintage cars, classic cars and hot rods they need serviced.

Jim handles all of the store'southward paperwork with the help of his wife, who also assists with meeting with customers and discussing the types of piece of work they need washed.

How to Manage Seasonality in the Motorbike Manufacture

Any motorcycle enthusiast knows that this industry is seasonal, which has the potential to create challenges for shop owners.

According to Jim, March through July tend to exist busier months every bit they coincide with riding season, and things start to slow down around the end of August. Work tends to pick upward around Oct, but slows back down during the wintertime months.

So how can store owners effectively manage the busy flavour while maintaining a steady flow of work through the winter?

Jim has found that the best way to manage seasonality is to go on detailed records of each ane of his customers throughout the yr. Typically, he reaches out to his customers in September and encourages them to bring their bikes in for repairs they may accept put off during riding flavor.

By following this method, Jim is able to work on projects during the winter and lighten his workload during the bound (which is typically very busy). This also makes it so that his clients' bikes are ready to go when riding season rolls around.

Non-Traditional Careers for Motorcycle Techs

Many technicians are passionate about the motorcycle industry, but don't necessarily run across themselves working in a traditional dealership. Fortunately, at that place are enough of other opportunities out there — it just requires inventiveness and bulldoze.

Jim encourages technicians to "retrieve outside the box" when it comes to building your career in the motorcycle industry.

If you don't want to accept the dealership road, consider working for a small independent store. Another choice is to talk to your local police department and find out who services their bikes, which is exactly what Jim did for a period of time.

Motorcycle technicians may also find success working with a local riding gild, or even buying a trailer and offering mobile services for clients. For those who take an entrepreneurial spirit like Jim, opening a brick and mortar repair shop may exist the perfect choice.

"No matter what you want to practice, there'due south a way to go far work," Jim shares. "You're only limited by your imagination and willingness to prove that your thought can work.

Tips for Success

When it comes to succeeding in the motorcycle industry, passion is key. "You have to eat, breathe and sleep motorcycles," Jim says.

Another important aspect of building a career in this field is reputation. "Whatever work you put your proper name on, make sure information technology's something yous're proud of," Jim shares. It takes time and hard work to build a good reputation, merely the end result is worth information technology — particularly if you're looking to beginning your own business.

Lastly, Jim encourages aspiring store owners to not be afraid to network with the other shops in your area. While they may be competition, it will only benefit you to have a good relationship with them. Ever care for people with respect — yous never know when you'll need their help or vice versa.

In the time to come, Jim hopes to continue growing his business and serving his clients. He eventually would like to reach the indicate where people recognize him past his logo alone! Jim also hopes that his 3 children take an interest in motorcycles and continue his legacy through his shop.

Overall, Jim'south story is an astonishing example of where passion and hard work can accept you in the motorcycle manufacture. If y'all take the bulldoze, there'due south no telling where you lot can go!

Gain Specialized Training at MMI

MMI makes it easy to structure your training program equally you set up for your career in the motorcycle industry. To learn more, visit our school page and request information to arrive bear on with an Admissions Representative today.