Best motorcycle lift?

[pdxjim]

Hey dudes.

I'm outfitting my new garage/shop, and shopping hydraulic or pneumatic motorcycle lifts.

I bought a Aplus four-post car lift, and it looks like they make a good motorcycle lift, but it's probably way better than I need.

Anyone got an opinion about motorcycle lifts?

[Simmons1]

Handy lifts have always been the gold standard. That said, I have been using one of the cheap Harbor Freight lifts for over 20 years.

[Andrew S]

I also have one of the Harbor Freight lifts.  But I highly recommend upgrading the wheel chock/clamp if you go that route. 

[JKV45]

I was looking for a lift a while ago, but decided to go with a table instead.  Requires a ramp to get the cycle on it, and a wheel chock at the front, but it was something like $350 delivered.

It's 8' long and 24" wide, 16" high.

It did take some modifications.

Something like this with the lower legs removed to get a lower height -

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-6-ft-adjustable-height-ready-to-assemble-heavy-duty-solid-wood-top-steel-workbench-in-black/1001798832

[BlueR32]

Me and my mates all have Kendon lifts:
https://kendonusa.com/collections/stand-up-folding-motorcycle-lifts-and-bike-lift-for-motorbikes
I've had mine for many years now and it has been fantastic. What I really like about it is that you can stand it up vertically when not in use to save space.  It can be hand-cranked or attach an airline to raise it quicker.
They are not cheap but they do come up on the used market from time to time. I got mine used.

[m in sc]

im not a fan of lifts. I've used them but for me, I prefer my hoist to lift a front or rear. imho, if you must use a lift, consider adding an overhead hoist as well

[grcamna3]

I bought a Western Handy lift(air cylinder)in 2000' and loved it.
I moved quite a few times,so I sold it a year later;Really miss it.   

[Rizingson]

If you're a serious bike restorer or mechanic forget the Harbor freight hydraulic lift. You'll wear your leg out pumping it up and down. Any good air lift is the way to go. Speaking from experience, and I've had a couple Harbor freight lifts as well. Just make sure you get one with a good half wheel chock and a removable plate at the rear for wheel removal.

[X-Man]

I too have the HarborMart cycle lift with the good upgraded front wheel chock. Yes the foot pump is annoying but it works. I wonder if the air/hydro cylinder works for it?

Jim if you wanted to look and try mine, your more than welcome to.

[grcamna3]

If you're a serious bike restorer or mechanic forget the Harbor freight hydraulic lift. You'll wear your leg out pumping it up and down. Any good air lift is the way to go. Speaking from experience, and I've had a couple Harbor freight lifts as well. Just make sure you get one with a good half wheel chock and a removable plate at the rear for wheel removal.

When I get another shop,that's what I want.
Also,if you have a big bike w/ a long wheelbase(GW,etc.),it needs a long lift too.
The removable rear wheel plate is a good feature;from what I hear,it allows the rear wheel to drop-down out of the caliper & swingarm,which will then allow you to lay the wheel flat and slide it out. Lots of bodywork around the rear wheel on a large touring bike can keep you from getting in there.

[85RZwade]

I use a Handy lift at work; it's a nice piece of equipment.

[Striker1423]

Handy is expensive but it's the shop standard. They have a basic lift I think for $1400 that's enough for most cases.

[grcamna3]

Handy is expensive but it's the shop standard. They have a basic lift I think for $1400 that's enough for most cases.

I bought my 1st one(grey w/ early/weak front wheel vise)from Monty in the mid 90's; they sent 'Dealer Paks' to my tiny home business every 6 months;an envelope packed full with adds(just before the Internet)for deals on stuff.
They wanted $699+ Freight from Iowa back then and I wanted it.
Wow,what a huge improvement in my life;got me up off the dirty floor.
I bought the side/width extenders for it next and later the better front wheel vise.
A solid 'tank' of a lift/table, & Heavy, if you wanted to roll it with the dolly/roller handle !

I left a tie-down strap up on one of the rafters to the handlebars connected by mistake on a customers 85' GL1200I GoldWing,then started to lower the lift & started to walk away from the pedal  !!!
I ran back and slid the lift pedal over close toward the right-side of the lift while I put my back under the side of the front fairing at the same time,to keep it from completely falling off the lift sideways,and then raised the bike enough to straighten it back up in the front wheel vise,then unhook the tie-down and lower the GW to the ground. I was working by myself(as usual)and nobody was there to help.
I had no insurance either..
No damage to the GW,which was Great;I had heavy made in USA friction straps and,of course the heavy steel frame of the Handy USA lift.
I saved the bike and my back,thank God,but the lift lower frame had a slight bend to the right ever since then;still usable 
I eventually replaced it with a new Handy, & sold the original to the local Harley guy in Vineyard Haven for $300 and he was pleased to have a 2nd lift.

I see the original Handy factory sold the company and those prices increased;I think they are improved with a couple different features now,especially the standard length of the lift.
I live on the 2nd floor of an apartment now(moved by myself from the Island on the East Coast out here to CA.,hoping to meet 'friendlys');no shop or lift,so I need to work on my own few bikes out in the parking lot on my knees,again:when the weather allows. 
Got to Have a shop again,but don't have the $,yet.

[Tropic-al]

I too have the HarborMart cycle lift with the good upgraded front wheel chock. Yes the foot pump is annoying but it works. I wonder if the air/hydro cylinder works for it?

X-Man, try Googling Redline Motorcycle lifts. They sell a hydraulic pump for SOME of the H/F Tables. I've seen lots of U Tube videos of people adapting hyd pumps but it seems there's always a lot of fabrication. These are made for some H/F tables so maybe you can figure out if they fit your table. Or that the fabrication part will be minimal. Good luck.
They're NON returnable so pick wisely. 

[Yamanatic]

Thinking out of the box, and having much experience working with disabled patients, I thought (about 30 years ago), a Geri-lift patient transfer crane might just be the hot ticket for bike work, so I bought a used one at an estate sale for $100. One of the best investments I've made, and I still have it.

I use it constantly, and with a rated capacity of 600 pounds, it will loft any 2-wheeled device shy of a Luxo-barge. It came with a box of chains and straps which can hook to most anything without damage, and it comes apart so is easy to transport; it has been through 3 moves to Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Phoenix slid under bikes on an open trailer. 

It works especially well on bikes with expansion chambers or no center and/or side stand since you lift from the top and not the bottom - especially useful for race bikes. It's also great for extracting and installing heavy motors, changing wheels, forks, or doing swingarm work.

One of the nicest parts is it is on caster wheels, so can be maneuvered in any direction easily, even with a full load. I swear by it, not at it!   





Warren