Moto Career Advice

I really want to work in the motorcycle industry because that is my passion, but my friends who made the leap all say they spend less time riding now because they work during riding season. How can I make motorcycles my full time job?

~Alana

Hi Alana,

I hear two different issues in your question. The first is how do I make motorcycles my fulltime job, and the second is a fear that if you do you’ll be so busy during the riding season that you’ll no longer have the time to get out on your own bike.

The answer to the first question is relatively straightforward. What aspect of the industry are you most interested in, and what training, if any, is needed to get you started. Asking friends, researching courses, and talking to those already working in the areas you would like to try are great resources. But be aware: for some people, working in any industry they have loved as an avocation can sour them on the fun aspects they once enjoyed. Spending all day around motorcycles might exhaust you, and riding may no longer seem as intriguing. Conversely, talking about bikes, working on bikes, and sharing your passion with others who ‘get it’ may pump you up, introduce you to a larger group of riders, and whet your appetite even more to get out and get going.

The second issue is the more complicated of the two. If only folks would schedule their breakdowns during the lousy weather, or plan their service intervals when business is slow during the off-season it’d be the perfect set-up, right? Or how about purchasing their new motorcycle during the slow months rather than waiting for the warmth of spring to remind them they want to get out? But alas, too many riders park their bikes in the garage when the rains hit and then make frantic calls to get appointments as soon as the days get longer and they’re anxious to get back on the road. Add breakdowns and unexpected repairs to the mix, and the reality that most sales, and therefore commissions, will be during the riding season, and there goes your summer. Makes it tough to work in the industry and get your own riding in too.

The reality is that anyone who works fulltime has to deal with competing demands: houses need to be cleaned, groceries bought, family members visited, appointments made…the list is endless. However, taking care of yourself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually is as important as making sure the electric bill gets paid. Creativity and determination are the keys to combining your desire to earn your living around motorcycles while still enjoying your passion for riding.

Is it possible for you to get your chores done in such a way as to free up your time off? Can you arrange to take a vacation even during the busy season, perhaps by occasionally adding a day or two to your regularly scheduled days off? Can you plan trips somewhere during the slow season where the weather will offer you the opportunity to get out? Commuting, meeting friends after work for rides, and making sure to plan ahead whenever possible will keep you thinking about getting on your bike rather than it becoming an afterthought. Bottom line: decide if working around bikes all day is really what you want, and if it is, go for it. Then find others who share you passion, have similar days off and get on your bike and go!

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