Bike Lifts - Looking for Advice

[Easyryder01]

DreamRider, here's some pics if the big blue lift. I've had my share of lifts and still looking for the right one that fits me and my garage. But since you asked about big blue I happen to have it right now here are some pics. I put the board across the lift because I didn't want to take my center stand off. Turned out the board served as a tray to put tools on while I work on the bike. Takes up very little room. No need for an air compressor and can be manually lifted or with an 18v cordless drill set to high torque. I'm still looking for the perfect lift and like it was mentioned before the table lift maybe the best way to go. There's a company called bestway on the net that sells in ground single post lifts and I think that's the direction I want to go.

[Hullhorr]

Easyrider, that thing looks like it would be wobbly if you had to tighten or loosen something that was tight.

I like wrenching on mine so I went with a Titan 1500Lb bike/ATV lift for stability. I'm real happy with it, but the one negative is it takes up a good bit of space. I chose this one because the platform raises to 45", which was about 8" higher than most I looked at.

I do like the Bestway inground lifts. I did consider one.

[Easyryder01]

Nothing is as solid as a table style you're right, but in big blues defense for as high and stable as it is its not that bad. I've seen the titans they are very impressive looking as well. Just wish I could find one that I could lift up out of the way when not in use. Unfortunately they are all roughly about 4-500lbs.

[Flexin]

How stable are the sears, harbor freight lifts with the bike on them. The footprint seems small 32" x 15". Thanks for your help..

[tj316]

Originally Posted by Flexin

How stable are the sears, harbor freight lifts with the bike on them. The footprint seems small 32" x 15". Thanks for your help..

it depends on what you are doing , they are ok for lifting and cleaning but if you remove a wheel you have to support the other end or it will come off , J & S or Pit Bull need no support , I've removed either wheel and it is still super stable

[13roadglide]

I realize this is a fairly old thread, but will add my two cents worth. I have both the side jack that lifts the motorcycle from the side, and a table lift. I use the side jack mainly for cleaning and detailing bikes and the table lift for actual work on the bikes. Since I am not a professional mechanic, I purchased both units from Harbor Freight for quite a bit less than a professional model would cost and they work very well for my needs.

[Flexin]

Thanks for the info, I'm looking to do a few things, for example installing new handlebars plus the regular fluid changes. At the moment I don't need the bike up high, just upright. So I'm caught between the standing chock and one of the small lifts for what I want to do.. Thanks again for any thoughts...

[Brent376]

To do fluid changes, the front wheel chock is ultimate. If however you are wanting to do wheel changes, brakes or just store the bike if the whelks for the winter, the mini lift is the way to gi

[Flexin]

Thanks for the advice, got the chock, anchoring to my garage floor. If I get to the point I need a lift (table), I will use this chock as the mount for the lift. Thanks again for another great thread....

[elbohead]

I'm heading out to Harbor Freight today to buy a lift. I've wanted one for simple cleaning/detailing, but my reason for getting one today is simply to raise the bike as high as I can in my shed. We've got a nor' easter headed our way and I'm at sea level on a cove near Narragansett Bay. My question... Is there a safe way to tie/strap the bike to the floor or walls for extra support while it is on the stand? Unfortunately, this is becoming a weekly event.

BTW...thoughts go out to all still reeling from Sandy...