Off-road motorcycle electronics course
Online course of 300 hours in off-road motorcycle electronics, structured in 6 modules covering the off-road environment, engine systems, protection and sealing, rally navigation and in-race maintenance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Off-road motorcycle electronics course — studying from New Zealand
The motorcycle and two-wheeler sector in New Zealand is primarily retail, servicing, touring and recreational use, with a sizeable community of riders served by importers, dealerships and specialist workshops. Motorcycle safety and licensing fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Motorcycle Trade Association supports the sector. Engineers and technicians often work in dealership service departments, component importers or with small specialist manufacturers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$887 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is there a professional body in New Zealand that recognises motorcycle engineering?
There is no separate statutory register for motorcycle engineers in New Zealand. Engineering New Zealand covers the wider profession, and vehicle compliance is regulated by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers decide how much weight to give them.
Who employs motorcycle engineers in New Zealand?
Likely employers include importers and distributors, motorcycle workshops, performance and race teams, and engineering firms serving the automotive sector. Some roles relate to vehicle certification and safety. Employers generally judge candidates on hands-on ability and project evidence, and a private qualification may or may not be valued depending on the employer.
How long does the course take alongside a job in New Zealand?
The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer where available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the operating conditions of electronics in off-road use.
Describe engine management systems on off-road motorcycles.
Apply protection and sealing techniques.
Install rally navigation systems.
Carry out diagnosis and repairs during a race.
Select components according to protection ratings.
Design an electrical installation for an off-road motorcycle.
Who it's for
- Off-road competition mechanics.
- Motorcycle electricians.
- Rally support technicians.
- Diagnostic technicians working with off-road machines.
- Vehicle electronics engineers interested in harsh-environment design.
- Enduro bike preparers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter competition and motorsport.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60529 (degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code))
- ISO 20653 (road vehicle protection against foreign objects, water and access)
- ISO 16750-3 (mechanical loads on vehicle electrical equipment)
- ISO 16750-4 (climatic loads on vehicle electrical equipment)
- FIM technical regulations (technical rules for off-road competition)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 10 (electromagnetic compatibility of vehicles)
- MATLAB
- TuneECU
- Vector CANoe
- KiCad
- AiM Race Studio 3
6 modules
1.1Vibration and impacts1.2Water, mud and dust1.3Extreme temperatures in desert and mountain conditions1.4Frequent falls and component damage1.5Weight as a critical factor1.6Accessibility for roadside repairs1.7Disciplines: motocross, enduro, trial and rally1.8Regulations for each discipline1.9Differences from road electronics1.10Workshop: analysis of electrical faults in enduro
2.1Fuel injection in motocross engines2.2Ignition and selectable maps2.3Handlebar map switches2.4Motocross traction control2.5Launch control for the starting grid2.6Electric start without a large battery2.7Two-stroke fuel injection2.8Sensors protected against impacts2.9Adjustment for altitude and temperature2.10Practical: switching maps and their effect on traction
3.1IP protection rating3.2Sealed automotive-grade connectors3.3Potting of electronics3.4Protecting cables against chafing3.5Component breathers3.6Water crossings and water ingress3.7Pressure washing3.8Corrosion and its prevention3.9Environmental vibration and dust testing3.10Lab: sealing test on a connector
4.1Electronic roadbook and how to read it4.2Navigation odometers4.3GPS and repeaters4.4Organiser safety systems4.5Beacons and IRITRACK4.6Navigation controls4.7Powering accessories4.8Installation on the navigation tower4.9Reliability over long stages4.10Case study: electrical installation of a rally raid motorcycle
5.1Electrical tools on the route5.2Emergency repairs5.3Quick diagnosis without equipment5.4Critical spare parts to carry on the route5.5Protocol between motos5.6Fault logging5.7Rider training5.8Lessons from real races5.9Continuous improvement after each race5.10Case study: ignition failure on an enduro special stage
6.1Choosing the discipline and motorcycle6.2Environmental requirements analysis6.3Design of a protected installation6.4Component selection6.5In-race maintenance plan6.6Spare parts list6.7Real-terrain test plan6.8Cost and weight6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, TuneECU, Vector CANoe, KiCad and AiM Race Studio 3, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for electrical installations for rally raid, sealing tests and quick in-race diagnosis. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 60529, ISO 20653, ISO 16750-3, ISO 16750-4, FIM technical regulations, UN/ECE Regulation No. 10.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, TuneECU, Vector CANoe, KiCad and AiM Race Studio 3, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Branding course for motorcycle teams
Online course of 300 hours in branding for motorcycle racing teams, 6 modules covering team identity, visual identity, brand and sponsors, experience and community, and brand…
Motorcycle geometry fundamentals course
Online course of 300 hours in motorcycle geometry fundamentals. 6 modules covering fundamental geometric parameters, stability and manoeuvrability, dynamic geometry, adjustments and configuration, and design and…
Motorcycle Electrical Fundamentals Course
Online course of 300 hours in electrical fundamentals for motorcycles. 6 modules covering electrical quantities and laws, charging, starting and ignition, lighting and signalling, and circuit…
More in Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers
All Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships