SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Motorcycle Mechanics

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • All Terrain Vehicle Technician (ATV Technician)
  • Custom Bike Builder
  • Motorcycle Mechanic
  • Motorcycle Service Technician
  • Motorcycle Technician
  • Motorsports Technician
  • Scooter Mechanic
  • Service Technician

What do Motorcycle Mechanics do?

A motorcycle mechanic is a skilled professional who specializes in the maintenance, repair, and modification of motorcycles. These individuals possess knowledge of various types of motorcycles, including cruisers, sport bikes, and off-road models, allowing them to diagnose issues and perform necessary repairs effectively. They work in repair shops, dealerships, or may operate their own businesses, and they are responsible for tasks such as routine servicing, troubleshooting mechanical problems, and installing performance upgrades. Motorcycle mechanics must be familiar with engine systems, electrical components, fuel systems, and transmission mechanics, as well as the tools and technologies used to repair and enhance motorcycle performance. Additionally, they may need to manage customer relationships, provide service estimates, and keep detailed records of repairs and services performed. In a rapidly evolving industry that increasingly incorporates advanced technologies, continuous education and adaptability are essential for motorcycle mechanics to stay updated on the latest developments and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the motorcycles they service.

What the work actually is

  • Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
  • Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
  • Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
  • Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
  • Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities

  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Post-secondary certificate Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Bachelor's degree

A normal week

  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Data base user interface and query software AbbottSoft QuickFix · DealerTrax ShopOrder · TRACKUM Repair Manager
  • Point of sale POS software LightSpeed Cloud · Santa Maria Software Counterman Pro
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Operating system software Apple iOS

Tools

  • Pullers Bushing pullers · Flywheel pullers · Seal removers
  • Specialty wrenches Battery cable wrenches · Oil filter wrenches · Timing cover plug wrenches
  • Vehicle lift Air lifts · Crate lifts · Hydraulic vehicle lifts
  • Engine tune up tester Carburetor diagnostic tools · Electrical diagnostic tools · Flow benches
  • Wheel balancing equipment Bubble balancers · Tire balancers · Wheel balancers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Motorcycle Mechanics earn in South Africa?

Motorcycle Mechanics salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Motorcycle Mechanics do?

Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires, Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools and Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.