Are you looking at a DIY project or ready made?
Is garage space limited wrt foot print?
Is garage space limited wrt foot print?
Best motorcycle lift table?
Ok Stromtroopers, as I'm getting on I'm my senior years 🙄 I've decided crawling around on the garage floor to do motorcycle maintenance is not going to last. So I'm in the market for a motorcycle lift table, I'd like to have one with removable side extensions. I'm sure there are a few inmate's here that have an opinion on which lift tables are the best. Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Thanks
1 - 20 of 61 Posts
I like my Mac Tools branded Handy lift. Had it for about ten years. It has a nice wheel chock/vise. Used they run about $400-600. It has 6 inch detachable sides that are easy to install. I don't find the rear wheel drop plate very useful. I like it very much, get a lot of compliments on it.
The cheap Harbor Freight lift table is fine for the Strom. You still need to use the center stand on the lift if you get the version with the front wheel vice rather than a proper chock. Using the center stand makes removal of both the front and rear wheel, forks etc much easier and is the way to go.
I have 2 bikes, and to reduce the amount of garage space used by the bikes and the lift, I park the V-strom on the lift full-time.
I have 2 bikes, and to reduce the amount of garage space used by the bikes and the lift, I park the V-strom on the lift full-time.
Had a HF lift table for year then two years ago decided I no longer wanted you use a foot pump. I also did not want air assist so that narrowed my chioces to between Redline and Titan electric/ hydraulic.
I ended up with the Titan as it had all the bells and whistles where Redline the extras were sold separately.
My Titan cost 7x as much as the HF lift but it is much nicer and lifts higher.
unfortunately the Titan e/h has been discontinued.
I ended up with the Titan as it had all the bells and whistles where Redline the extras were sold separately.
My Titan cost 7x as much as the HF lift but it is much nicer and lifts higher.
unfortunately the Titan e/h has been discontinued.
I'm also in the market for a bike lift table. Looking for something on the lighter/mobile side, so I can easily move it out of the way when not in use. Thinking of going with this Kendon Lift
Fold up feature is cool, but only 600lb capacity. Dl1050 with a tank.of fuel is pretty close to that.I'm also in the market for a bike lift table. Looking for something on the lighter/mobile side, so I can easily move it out of the way when not in use. Thinking of going with this Kendon Lift
Th fold up feature is neato but it is also lending itself to being unstable as the base is narrow. A lot of the narrow lifts have an extra wide bar up front to help stabilize the lift and make a great tripping hazard. I like the full perimeter frame around my lift with the lift fully extended I can wrench on the bike w/o much less threat of pulling it over on me. I also found that I keep the 11" side extensions on the table all the time as it gives more room to put tool and parts when working on the bike. Some of the tables are not much more than a track for the wheels to ride in. There is no room for anything, so you need other carts or tables for holding stuff.
As a side note my HF lift fully extended was 33 or 34 inches to the top. I never realized it until I got the Titan that the HF lift put most tasks at a awkward height. I never realized why my back hurt when using it until I go the Titan that has an 11-inch higher max deck height. With the HF lift I was hunched over and stressing my back. With then Titan I can stand upright and be more comfortable even when working for hours on end.
While a HF lift is a good value and better than working on the floor after using my current lift, I'd be hard pressed to go back to something smaller or a lower deck height. I've also become accustomed to pushing the button on the hydraulic pump and the lift quietly and effortlessly raising up to the desired height. With my garage attached to the house I did not want an air driven lift as my oilless compressor is loud and too small to efficiently lift the table. A lift requires usually a 40 gallon compressor at 90 PSI. So, if I went with air, I'd have had to buy a big compressor and that would have taken up more space in the garage. Since I have no air tool nor want any this would have been a waste of money and space to get a decent quality belt driven (quiet) compressor. Even then air tables are herky jerky and not smooth like hydraulic.
One other thought is the comment always comes up what happens if there is a power outage, and you cannot power the hydraulic unit (110v outlet)? I always reply how do you power your compressor??
As a side note my HF lift fully extended was 33 or 34 inches to the top. I never realized it until I got the Titan that the HF lift put most tasks at a awkward height. I never realized why my back hurt when using it until I go the Titan that has an 11-inch higher max deck height. With the HF lift I was hunched over and stressing my back. With then Titan I can stand upright and be more comfortable even when working for hours on end.
While a HF lift is a good value and better than working on the floor after using my current lift, I'd be hard pressed to go back to something smaller or a lower deck height. I've also become accustomed to pushing the button on the hydraulic pump and the lift quietly and effortlessly raising up to the desired height. With my garage attached to the house I did not want an air driven lift as my oilless compressor is loud and too small to efficiently lift the table. A lift requires usually a 40 gallon compressor at 90 PSI. So, if I went with air, I'd have had to buy a big compressor and that would have taken up more space in the garage. Since I have no air tool nor want any this would have been a waste of money and space to get a decent quality belt driven (quiet) compressor. Even then air tables are herky jerky and not smooth like hydraulic.
One other thought is the comment always comes up what happens if there is a power outage, and you cannot power the hydraulic unit (110v outlet)? I always reply how do you power your compressor??
Is there some current near equivalent to your titan? The ones I see on their site have the same lift height as the HF
Has anyone used the Abba Skylight?
Sky Lift
The ultimate motorcycle lift. Raise your bike up higher than any other motorbike stand, simple and safe one person operation, lifting at 3 different angles..
abbastandsusa.com
I see the sky lift as the worst design. It blocks off access to one side of the bike and partially blocks the other side. The feet stick out on the "working side" as trip hazards and the work is still mostly at ground level.
It might be okay for removing wheels for tire changing but that's about it. A lift table bring the work to you at a comfortable working height. That is the biggest benefit of a table.
It might be okay for removing wheels for tire changing but that's about it. A lift table bring the work to you at a comfortable working height. That is the biggest benefit of a table.
The Titan 1500 air actuated lift. There was conversion kits available also to convert from air/hydraulic to electric/hydraulic. It was expensive though.Is there some current near equivalent to your titan? The ones I see on their site have the same lift height as the HF
Last year there was a feller on ADV Roder selling a Titan A/H lift as shown for $500. It was line new. I bought it for a buddy in TN.
Titan Lifts HDML-1500XLT Motorcycle Lift
Titan Lifts HDML-1500XLT Motorcycle Lift This is one of the finest motorcycle lifts on the market. and a terrific value for all that you're getting. Includes most accessories that most other manufacturers charge extra for. Plus, it's got amazing features that you will grow to appreciate every...
www.googleadservices.com
I work from the floor. I plop my arse down on a big rubber mat and start working. The exercise does me good. Tables are nice, I’m sure. Jeez, they sure are expensive.
Maybe Some day.
Maybe Some day.
Tables are one of those things you'll kick yourself in the ass for not buying one sooner. Once you use then there is no going back. Heck, I don't even bend over anymore to check the oil level or tire pressure. Bike goes on the lift and the work comes to me. To me crawling around a cold floor working on stuff is not exercise its, punishment.I work from the floor. I plop my arse down on a big rubber mat and start working. The exercise does me good. Tables are nice, I’m sure. Jeez, they sure are expensive.
Maybe Some day.
They also have a 1000lb capacity lift for only $100 bucks more. I do worry about it being a little too narrow, but it looks like the base footprint width isn't much narrower than the Titan 1000 series lifts. For me the lighter weight and ease of storage/portability of the unit is higher up on the requirement list. They also sell service trays, oil drain pans and other accessories for the lift. If I had the space, I might consider the Titan SDML 1000 XT, but sheesh that's about $1k more than the Kendon.Fold up feature is cool, but only 600lb capacity. Dl1050 with a tank.of fuel is pretty close to that.
Buy once cry once!They also have a 1000lb capacity lift for only $100 bucks more. I do worry about it being a little too narrow, but it looks like the base footprint width isn't much narrower than the Titan 1000 series lifts. For me the lighter weight and ease of storage/portability of the unit is higher up on the requirement list. They also sell service trays, oil drain pans and other accessories for the lift. If I had the space, I might consider the Titan SDML 1000 XT, but sheesh that's about $1k more than the Kendon.
Nah, if it saves me $1k, allows me to lift and work on my bike securely while standing or on my garage roller seat, it'd put a smile on my face. No tears from this dude.Buy once cry once!
If a person has to maintain more than one motorcycle then I can see the possible need for a table lift. However, if you only have the one motorcycle, personally I don't think that it is worth the expence of buying a ready-made work platform.
There are many other inexpensive and some expensive DIY options as an alternative to ready-made.
Examples of DIY options: DIY Motorcycle Lift: 8 Ideas to try out, How to make your own DIY scissor lift with plans | Woodwork Junkie, Motorlift, How To Build a Home Made DIY Motorcycle Lift, TECH: Build a DIY MC Lift/Bench, Homemade Wooden Motorcycle Lift - HomemadeTools.net and WWII wooden motorcycle workbench - Global Dimension to name a few interesting DIY ideas.
There are many other inexpensive and some expensive DIY options as an alternative to ready-made.
Examples of DIY options: DIY Motorcycle Lift: 8 Ideas to try out, How to make your own DIY scissor lift with plans | Woodwork Junkie, Motorlift, How To Build a Home Made DIY Motorcycle Lift, TECH: Build a DIY MC Lift/Bench, Homemade Wooden Motorcycle Lift - HomemadeTools.net and WWII wooden motorcycle workbench - Global Dimension to name a few interesting DIY ideas.
I've seen a few of those before, but not really worth it when you can pay around $450 for a brand new HF lift.If a person has to maintain more than one motorcycle then I can see the possible need for a table lift. However, if you only have the one motorcycle, personally I don't think that it is worth the expence of buying a ready-made work platform.
There are many other inexpensive and some expensive DIY options as an alternative to ready-made.
Examples of DIY options: DIY Motorcycle Lift: 8 Ideas to try out, How to make your own DIY scissor lift with plans | Woodwork Junkie, Motorlift, How To Build a Home Made DIY Motorcycle Lift, TECH: Build a DIY MC Lift/Bench, Homemade Wooden Motorcycle Lift - HomemadeTools.net and WWII wooden motorcycle workbench - Global Dimension to name a few interesting DIY ideas.
When I worked in a motorcycle shop, I would never have considered not using a lift. In my basement shop, it never occurs to me.
I just use a rubber mat and sit on my but for the low things. I use a roller chair for up higher. I tend to own newer Japanese bikes now, I have no desire to flip bikes any longer, and have just about quit doing any more wrenching for pay.
I just use a rubber mat and sit on my but for the low things. I use a roller chair for up higher. I tend to own newer Japanese bikes now, I have no desire to flip bikes any longer, and have just about quit doing any more wrenching for pay.
1 - 20 of 61 Posts
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