MMI Buell Program

[hdwrenchtx]

I took my Harley I just had a huge cable lock that went through the frame and around the pole in the car port. It would suck not having a bike out there with the weather.

 

[buelltech]

I grew up in Phoenix and actually Phoenix was just awarded as the safest major city in the country. The problem is when people move to Phoenix from out of town they move as close to the school as they can all though handy its not the best of areas to live in. Its sad to say but your fellow classmates are the ones you need to watch. If you can bring your bike you will want it once your here. If you get an apartment look into a garage. The extra money now may save you in the long run. As far as how much money you will need for living expenses I can't help you, since I was local I already had a house and job.

 

[hdwrenchtx]

i think my rent was 600 or so when i was out there. get a roomate if you want to save some cash. personally i liked living by myself. living in an apartment SUCKS though. I hadnt done it for years then moved out there. get used to helicopters flying around all hours of the night with the spotlight on.

 

[09XB12R]

I am from Phoenix and am always looking for other Buellers. Where do you guys live? I am in El Mirage.

 

[buelltech]

I'm in litchfield park near Luke air force base

 

[Builtdesign]

I'm right across the street from MMI.

how much $$ would you guess is needed to stay afloat monthly while in the Phoenix area?

Monthly outcome seems to be pretty much the same as it was in OR. We took a 17ft uhaul down and averaged 9-11mpg[sad] and that was also trailing (probably too) closely to semi's. But we did have it literally pack full and with two motorcycles in it as well I spent a lot of money the first two months...I'm really not sure on what...after that it was back to normal. Some things are ridiculously expensive, my gf's car registration and new plate was $300! Also insurance will be higher.

I would recommend:
-Securing a job beforehand
-finding a roomate beforehand (student coordinators can set you up with someone)
-Saving at least $2k to float you through the first couple months
-Make a budget of expenses. i.e. insurance, registration, rent, etc.
Hope that helps and isn't overwhelming.
Theft can be avoided if you're smart about it. Many thieves are lazy. Make it hard for them and they'll usually find an easier steal.
I think I'd be in agony without my bike here, perfect rinding almost all year round!

 

[Snosnake65]

Builtdesign, [up] Thanks for the input. Sure will help. I'm no stranger to travel across the states, done it many times while in the Marines, east and west coasts. Always had fun, but now it's coming out of my pocket, so I have to be frugal. Changing careers is tough, so all the info you guys gave will definately help, thanks again.

 

[ophawk]

Gotta tell ya guys it all depends on the area. I haven't seen a "Ghetto Bird" in several years. I grew up and Graduated from Maryvale High, sold the house in '02. If you are near the Deer Valley Airport, which is about three miles from the MMI School, you will have the "Birds" to contend with the are stationed there. Phoenix and the surrounding area are HUGE 70+ miles across East to West, more than 50 North to South, Good and Bad Pockets in every region of the Valley. I have been here since Aug '77, have had some things "borrowed" and broken into, had one attempt on the bike while I was at an extended stay Hotel in Peoria, near Arrowhead Harley.
with the economy the way it is their are some decent deals on homes, owning and renting.

 

[09XB12R]

Ok. I have a 4 bedroom in El Mirage that I'm looking to fill with roomates. I also have an '09 XB12R apart in my garage trying to diagnose charging system issues. *idea*

Maybe a deal could be worked out?????

 

[crxtasy169]

Don't go to MMI Arizona go to the one in Orlando my brother talked me into it! The beach is less than an hour away and we were just voted 3rd in the US for employment opportunities. Food is bad ass. Some cool places to ride outside of town. Hot women. What else to say? I don't regret a second of it. You get out what you put in. As far as the money yes it's expensive but to me it was worth it.

 

[anrkizm95]

phoenix is in the top ten worst cities to live in.the heat and traffic is horrible.english is the second language.and crime is high.it may not be the worst city but imo its the arm pitt of america.no offence to those that live there.and yes i used to live there.that haze isnt fog

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

I wouldn't expect to make a ton of money. I just want a job doing something I enjoy. Sounds like the fun eventually fades though. Does anybody have a job that absolutely kicks ass?

haveing a say so in what jobs to take on,what to charge etc. makes a big difference

I'm an Aircraft Mechanic and when i was doing that i made great money and worked on all kinds of stuff, loved it . now because of the economy i got laid off from that and had to go back to being a car tech, i enjoy most of it and some of what i get to work on but the money sucks bad i get paid small hourly base rate plus commissions on what i work on. You cant be to choosy when it comes to making money when you get paid commission or any low pay, especially in the winter or in this bad economy people are tight with their money more than ever now. If you work commision , my advice is to make or have your employer make you Bussiness cards and give and staple them to the finall paperwork or receipt & talk to each customer of each bike you work on and give them your card and TELL them to ask or request for you to work on their bike, be honest with them too, and word of mouth from your customers and your loyal repeat life long customers will help you make more money that way , believe me it works , thats what I do,then & now & when I worked in sales too. I have people that will call ahead to see if i am working that day or when i work , when i left this same job years ago I had told one of my customers I was getting another job she actually was kinda pissed and asked me who to deal with and who to work on her car in the future, bet she is glad I'm back for now!

& when the winter or anytime when its dead and no vehicles coming in you make little to nothing.
but if you really enjoy what your doing & making good money at , it doesn't feel like work anymore . but the rest of life cost money, sad to say .
I would do some research on some of the place you want to live and find out what the wages are like there and the COST of Living and more.theere're lots websites for that like labor.gov .....
Good luck !

That's how you get the comments like those schools are a waste of time

More Education is never a bad thing but some people dont get that. or they already think they know all there is to know about this or that....

 

[XBGinger]

I graduated MMI phoenix last May, I actually really enjoyed it. I went through the Harley program and yeah it was insanely expensive ($25000) and the Buell clinic is only three weeks (I think someone mentioned that it was six... The whole Haley program is 60 weeks or 66 if you take early model as well) Also saw that several people think mechanics school is a waste of time and money, I actually learned a lot but I am a relatively new rider and before MMI all I had been exposed to was auto mechanics so I found it very helpful although somewhat repetitive. I recently moved from Phoenix to Massachusetts in January and got hired right away at a dealership.

Cost of living in Phoenix is pretty affordable. However, you'll want to have money saved up before you move because the job market is despicable.

So to wrap it up MMI like any education, it’s all about what YOU make of it, and as for mechanics schools being bullshit, yeah maybe, but it looks good on a resume, it shows that you are interested in and committed to your field.

 

[BuckDaniels]

Here in Canada, motorcycle, heavy-duty and auto tech are each journeyman trades (I am journeyman auto tech). You work at escalating percentages of a journeyman rate and attend a few weeks (8-10) of school every year until you finish however many hours required on the tools and pass a final exam. I know auto can pay pretty good depending where you work (dealers usually pay best). It does slow down just when bills are at their highest (heat, gas, Christmas bills) so you need to budget but it's nice to slack off for a few weeks.

 

[williegoat]

Glendale, here.[cool] I have been in the Phoenix area since 1969. Maybe the sun has baked my brain, but I love it here. [up]

 

[captain13ron]

here is my philoshophy on it; decided that my love of motorcycles is most important, i want keep it a hobby!!! i am a musician as well, thought i would be a pro DJ/KJ years ago, well i did make a lot of money at it (in the 90's KJ paid well) but i got sick of it, you see i didn't get to play all my favorite songs, i had to play what was required.
i do not want to get stuck working on some kind or brand of bike i am not interested in. so i decided to not be any type of professional motorcycle mechanic.

i have a great career in industrial electronic repair, and for fun, i work on MY bike in the winter works for me.

i realize thats only for me, for some working on any, motorcycle is the right choice, just saying think about it!

 

[09XB12R]

Ditto, WillieGoat. I've been here since '96 when I got stationed at Luke. I love it here. Summers are insanely hot. Crime rates aren't really that bad compared to other cities the same size.

What I like about this city that I've noticed is different from other cities: everything seems new. The city structures and public buildings seem modern and well-kept. No huge potholes, no ugly black soot-stained bridges, etc.

What I don't like is the lack of adequate public transportation.

....but I love the gun laws here!