Motorcycle Lift

[Six Guns]

I know this was discussed in the past, but I did a search and could not find the thread. My wife is going to buy me a motorcycle lift this coming Father's Day and I wanted to know which ones are good and which ones to stay away from. I've seen a bunch on the internet but don't know which one to reccomend to my wife to buy. Her budget for buying a lift is around $1,000.00. Any help or advice from those in the know will be greatly appreciated. Tks... 

[sandy]

I presume you're looking at lift tables and not the fork type. My local repair shop buys new lifts every 2 years because of tax structures. They sell a $1200 used lift for about $500. Works on air, not hydraulics. I think it's a Handy or Hardy. Can't remember what it says on the side of the table.

[Dogg]

I bought my tables brand new, shipped to my house for under $500 a piece. they are air over hydraulic but they also have foot peal in case you dont want to run the air to them. I ll post the name and information tonite when i get home.

[Ken Tarver]

this is a good one http://pitbullmotorcyclelifts.net/shop/index.php?cPath=20
I don't have one, a friend does.
I have the cheap Sears one but it works good, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950190000P
You will need a lift adapter, mine is homemade

[Ken Tarver]

Measurements for the lift adapter are in "shoptalk" and some other variations of the adapter.
Ken

[Ken Tarver]

not a lift, but is very handy

[Jeff K]

I bought a Handy SAM 1000. It has a drop out plate for the rear wheel.
I worked it out with them so I could go pick it up the next time they were in Daytona. I saved all the shipping cost. They just brought an extra one to Biketoberfest.
Paid $800 for it. Great deal on  a nice piece of equipment.


http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/product_view.asp?idProduct=936&D=1&S=21
 

[Master Blaster]

I have had the cheap Harbor freight table for a couple of years, and its been very good for the price.  Mine is the one with the foot pump, and sometimes you can catch them on sale for $299.00.  They have the same basic table with air over hydraulic for a little more.  For the motorcycle jack I use the all aluminum with the removable handle.

[Bugslayer]

Question:
With a "table", how do ya work on the front tire? Do you lock the rear tire in the clamp?

[Disco]

Hey Victor, you're a lucky man!  I've had my eye on the one from Kendon, the folding trailer folks.  It stands vertically and is 17" deep x 28" wide x 70" tall when not in use.  $649.97 + shipping.  DFG

From their site http://www.kendonusa.com/lift.htm

Motorcycle Lift Features:

Air-Over-Hydraulic Jack - Use the manual pump or an air compressor
Integrated Wheel Chock Locks
1,000 Pound Weight Capacity (600 pounds for sport bike lift)
Full 32 inch working height when raised
Variable height locks
Full line of optional accessories (work trays, oil drain pans, and more)
Removable front and rear section for easy access to wheel replacement and cleaning
Can fit a bike 90" long measured from the front of the front tire to the rear axle

[Motorider]

Check out www.gregsmithequipment.com I bought their Pro park 7, four post lift for my cars. I`m very happy with it. I use it for my auto repair and I`m sure I could put the Valk on it if I mounted a wheel chock on it. They also sell motorcycle tables. However, if you have the space for a four post lift you may want to consider going that route for a little more money.

[Six Guns]

Hey Victor, you're a lucky man!  I've had my eye on the one from Kendon, the folding trailer folks.  It stands vertically and is 17" deep x 28" wide x 70" tall when not in use.  $649.97 + shipping.  DFG

From their site http://www.kendonusa.com/lift.htm

Motorcycle Lift Features:

Air-Over-Hydraulic Jack - Use the manual pump or an air compressor
Integrated Wheel Chock Locks
1,000 Pound Weight Capacity (600 pounds for sport bike lift)
Full 32 inch working height when raised
Variable height locks
Full line of optional accessories (work trays, oil drain pans, and more)
Removable front and rear section for easy access to wheel replacement and cleaning
Can fit a bike 90" long measured from the front of the front tire to the rear axle

Dave,

   I am a very lucky man indeed. I checked out your link for a motorcycle lift and like that it can be folded up and be put out of the way. I happen to be searching the internet for motorcycle lifts and found one here locally in Fort Worth. I could pick the lift up in my truck and save on shipping charges. Here is the link for the lift that I found locally.

http://www.derekweaver.com/update/Pro-Cycle_Droptail_XLT__Motorcycle_Lifts_Product.aspx?id=11

[Ken Tarver]

Bostonrats
On the left side of the bike where the sidestand bolts on, and going over to the right side of the bike is a cross-member underneath.
Looking at the picture, the left side of the adapter fits into a corner where that cross-member is welded.
the right side of the adapter (looking at the picture) has a "square U shape". The cross-member fits into that "U" on the right side of the bike. It worked well with my lift, other lifts may require something a bit different. If the forks of the lift are about the same distance apart as the Sears, it probably will work just fine.
Mine is a variation of one I saw in Shoptalk, the measurements are there. When I use it, the lift is off perpendicular to the bike somewhat at an angle, but it is very steady. You could modify it so as to not have the lift at an angle. Also, before I place the lift under the bike, I put a piece of 2x4 under the sidestand to raise the left side of the bike a bit. Can't roll the lift under the bike with the adapter in place on the lift. I roll the lift under the bike, then place the adapter on the lift fork and adjust as needed.
I put the rubber on the adapter just because I had it laying around in the shop.
If I'm putting a wrench to the bike I strap it down. If just cleaning I don't.
Ken

[Disco]

That looks like serious gear, Victor.  Full 48" width and the extensions double as trays.  At 690 pounds shipping weight, it makes the 140 pound Kendon look kinda dinky.  That's almost like having another valk in the garage!

[Black Dog]

Hey Dave, 

I don't own this one, but I've had my eye on it for some time now.  Has just about everything included, looks sturdy, and the price is in your ball park.

This link takes you to the cheaper one, but if you move around on the site, they have another that has even more room/features for $100 more.

http://www.completehydraulic.com/lifts-motorcycle-tcml.html

Good luck with your search.

Black Dog

[Disco]

Thanks, Black Dog,

That's a really nice setup.  I like the fact that it's an all-inclusive package.  I'm a bit space constrained and don't have a bay to dedicate to a lift.  That's what interested me about the fold-up unit.  I guess what I really need to do is get my "stuff-to-space" ratio back to a more normal level.  I've bookmarked the link for future reference.

DFG

[Dogg]

Question:
With a "table", how do ya work on the front tire? Do you lock the rear tire in the clamp?

you would block the bike up and use tiedowns to keep bike steady  once front tire is in the air.  works for me all the time and i have 2 harbor frieght tables. I paid 497 each delivered but i have air over. very convinient. very low to the floor.(3 inches tall) but raised up almost 3 feet. for the money, its the best bargain yet

[Bugslayer]

Cool. Thanks for the reply. Those table's have always looked handy, but I have no room for one. I'll just have to settle with my Larin lift. 

[NiteRiderF6]

This is a little above your price bracket that you mentioned, but for the money it's the best bike lift on the market:

http://www.directlift.com/procyclexltdt.asp

In action:



As far as taking up too much room, I just park one of the bikes on there: