Harbor Freight Lift $300

[Chaosandconfusion]

I know asking people's opinions about a particular item can get you a mixed bag.  Even so, I still wanted to ask about a lift I saw on sale at HF for $300.  The price seemed reasonable for a lift. 

Although, I am a little weary of buying it since it is said that you get what you pay for.  I want to be sure this thing could safely raise the Valkyrie and also give me a couple of years of service. 

If anybody has owns one of these lifts, can you share your good or bad experiences with it.   If you feel that it is total crap, what moderately price lift would you suggest?


Thanks,

[PAVALKER]

I had one, got it on sale and also used a 20pct off coupon, taking it down to near 250.00 or so.  That being said, I didn't like it all that much.  My garage is not "high", it has a slope to the drain and the lift didn't just feel all that sturdy.  I didn't use it much, it took up a butt load of space and ended up being a parking pad more time that not.  Bike didn't feel all that secure on it IMO.  I ended up selling it for 300.00 to a local guy and freed the space up in my garage for another little yellow HF ATV/Bike lift like I had (now have two).  I much prefer the yellow lifts, but that's me.  I might enjoy the big lift table, if I had unlimited space, but that was really big, bulky and a SOB to move around. 

[old2soon]

Small garage lotsa tools and a large M/C. I went with the yellow lift from H/F. Once you figure out WHERE to put lift for correct balance-zero/none/nada/lack of problems with wurking on da Phatt Ghurl once she is properly on the lift. If you go with the yellow H/F lift or any lift be SURE to use the safety locks and NOT the jack to hold the bike in the lifted position. RIDE SAFE.

[BF]

You might want to read this recent thread on bike lifts.....

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,60148.msg576741.html#msg576741

This is a thread that was posted awhile back about a reported flaw in the H/F table lift.....

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,59011.0.html

Some people really like they H/F table....and I've seriously considered one myself, but have since re-thought the H/F table lift for me.  I too believe that you get what you pay for.  

I seriously like this one.....and it's versatility, but it's $eriously $pendy too.  Here's a video of someone putting a goldwing on one......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bFoDUqBzbVo

http://www.ezcarlift.com/index.html

.....with the bike lift option....

http://www.ezcarlift.com/accessories/MLK/motorcycleliftkit.php

[BF]

Or....you could do something like what this guy did......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJmE0ZdZhyU

[valk2001]

I also bought the Harbor Freight lift about 3 years ago and used a coupon to get it for less than $300.  I use it for changing rear wheels and other maintenance that works better with the bike at waist level.  I did put a couple of additional tie down u-bolts to assist in stablizing the bike but I have no fear at all of it coming off.  For less than $300 it is worth it IMHO.

[cma1]

i have both the yellow and the aluminum (high dollar) lifts from HF, the yellow one is far superior to the aluminum peice of crap. then i realized the aluminum one was designed to jack up my kwik kamp and cargo trailer to change tires, works great for that.

whoodathought ?????

[Bugslayer]

Those table lifts look pretty cool...... but how do ya work on the front of the bike while it's on the table? (front wheel, ect...) Why not just a basic bike lift?

[scubad26]

I bought the same lift on sale and I love it. Couldn't live without it now--don't know how I did for so long without one. Besides being able to lift the bike to polish or repair--it serves as a great parking spot when I'm not in the riding mode.

[#2944]

Had my red one for 5+ years now, works great, love it.
Zots

[Tx Bohemian]

Those table lifts look pretty cool...... but how do ya work on the front of the bike while it's on the table? (front wheel, ect...) Why not just a basic bike lift?

You back the bike on the lift, clamp the rear tire. A 200 series tire will fit.
I did it this way when I changed my triple trees, forks, and handlebars.
Worked like a champ and made this work WAAY easier than squatting.  Extremely more stable than a bike lift IMO.
I did change the piddly little wheel clamp (manual pumped version) to the "L" shaped one from the "air/hydralic" version.  Much safer.

I've had my table for about 3 years and it is one of the best purchases I've made. Of course I do have a 24' X 40' workshop/mancave.  I can see if you're working out of a regular size garage where this would be cumbersome.
However...
I made a bigger, removable table top (3/4" plywood) for it that is large enough to put my riding mower on. Makes working on this thing much easier also.

And when I'm not working on the bike or mower it makes a good height adjustable, rolling (portable), work bench that I use quite frequently.

[Bugslayer]

Those table lifts look pretty cool...... but how do ya work on the front of the bike while it's on the table? (front wheel, ect...) Why not just a basic bike lift?

You back the bike on the lift, clamp the rear tire. A 200 series tire will fit.
I did it this way when I changed my triple trees, forks, and handlebars.
Worked like a champ and made this work WAAY easier than squatting.  Extremely more stable than a bike lift IMO.
I did change the piddly little wheel clamp (manual pumped version) to the "L" shaped one from the "air/hydralic" version.  Much safer.

I've had my table for about 3 years and it is one of the best purchases I've made. Of course I do have a 24' X 40' workshop/mancave.  I can see if you're working out of a regular size garage where this would be cumbersome.
However...
I made a bigger, removable table top (3/4" plywood) for it that is large enough to put my riding mower on. Makes working on this thing much easier also.

And when I'm not working on the bike or mower it makes a good height adjustable, rolling (portable), work bench that I use quite frequently.

Cool. I didn't know a rear tire would fit in the clamp.
Thanks!