Bike Lifts - how useful?

[Furbo]

Best tool I own!

[sign216]

If you're building a new garage, consider leaving a hole in the slab floor so your lift will be flush with the floor when fully retracted.  That's what I would do.

Cam,  look at the thread on Garage Size,  another writer has a garage with a recessed floor lift.  Looks great, although  I do wonder about it being a trap for dirt and debris.

Still, I'm really liking the idea.

[Cam3512]

Cam,  look at the thread on Garage Size,  another writer has a garage with a recessed floor lift.  Looks great, although  I do wonder about it being a trap for dirt and debris.

Still, I'm really liking the idea.

Can't be any more of a dirt/debris trap than the underside of my lift above ground.  So a couple times a year you clean it out and find all those lost nuts and bolts. 

I just don't see a down side.

[sign216]

Can't be any more of a dirt/debris trap than the underside of my lift above ground.  So a couple times a year you clean it out and find all those lost nuts and bolts. 

I just don't see a down side.

I like the idea and want to do it. I'm glad you suggested it before the foundation was poured.

[Testarossa]

I like the idea and want to do it. I'm glad you suggested it before the foundation was poured.

If you're putting in a floor drain, consider locating it in the lift recess.

[jas67]

Can't be any more of a dirt/debris trap than the underside of my lift above ground.  So a couple times a year you clean it out and find all those lost nuts and bolts. 

I just don't see a down side.

It reduces the maximum working height of the lift by the depth of the recess.

[Cam3512]

Personally, I've yet to EVER fully extend my lift.  What else ya got?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Personally, I've yet to EVER fully extend my lift.  What else ya got?

Mine's up all the way as we speak. I'm working on a chipper engine. Sure is nice to have it up where I can get to it instead of standing on my head fooling the the carb, pulling the flywheel, etc.
Why have I never had a bike lift before?? Duh.

[Chuck in Indiana]

It reduces the maximum working height of the lift by the depth of the recess.

It *does* do that, but with the limited space of the OP, it makes sense.

[Cam3512]

Mine's up all the way as we speak. I'm working on a chipper engine. Sure is nice to have it up where I can get to it instead of standing on my head fooling the the carb, pulling the flywheel, etc.
Why have I never had a bike lift before?? Duh.

Yea, but you put airplane engines in motorcycles!  I'm just happy to change my oil.

 

[sign216]

What qualities or options should I look for in a lift?

All you lift owners should have an idea of what you would do differently the second time around.

[Chuck in Indiana]

What qualities or options should I look for in a lift?

All you lift owners should have an idea of what you would do differently the second time around.

Well, you either buy quality or you buy price, just like everything else.  To me, it depends on how much you are planning on using it. I've worked off a pro lift at MGC, and my cheapie HF lift. Both will get the job done. Needless to say, the pro lift is more substantial, and has a *much* better vise. The HF unit is adequate, though.. especially for small blocks. I wouldn't put a hawg on one, but I've had a couple of big block Guzzis without issue.  One thing I would do, though, is to have it before pouring the floor. I'd custom fit that sucker so there wouldn't be any gaps to stick a foot in and break an ankle, etc. when you're walking around thinking of something else.  I hate gotchas on the floor.

[ChuckH]

Two things I like about mine --

First is the vise at the front end (opposite the ramp end).  I can clamp the tire (normally the front but sometimes the rear), and with the aid of a strap on each side, the bike is securely held vertically.

Second are the two 8" extensions, one on each side.  The surface of my Handy Lift sits about 7" above the garage floor.  I ride my heavier Stelvio up the ramp onto the lift ending up with the front tire in the opening of the vise (it is not clamped at this time).  The left extension allows me to put the side stand down and get off the bike without a lot of assistance.  The extensions also give me a lot of space for tools, removed parts, etc during the work.

[pyoungbl]

Hi Chuck, when you decide to roll that Big Girl up on the lift it really helps to put a sheet of 3/4" plywood under the ramp.  Then you are going up a shallower incline.  My Stelvio is a handfull when pushing it up the ramp without the plywood helper.

Peter Y.

[ChuckH]

Hi Chuck, when you decide to roll that Big Girl up on the lift it really helps to put a sheet of 3/4" plywood under the ramp.  Then you are going up a shallower incline.  My Stelvio is a handfull when pushing it up the ramp without the plywood helper.  Peter Y. 

Peter,

I'm not strong enough to push a heavier bike like the Stelvio up onto the lift, I actually ride it up -- at a very slow pace.  A lighter bike (I also currently have a KLR-650) is easier for me to walk up onto the lift pushing and controlling the bike with the handlebars.

BTW, I hope to see you somewhere later this year, maybe Swampscooters.

[Zinfan]

The Handy lift is still one of the most popular lifts but much more expensive than the HF ones.  I got lucky and found a used one nearby but it still cost me $600.  I like having a cutout at the back of the lift for rear tire removal.

Here is my lift with my old Tiger 1050 on it.  The red square at the back lifts out and allows the tire to drop down so I don't have to try and twist it out of the swingarm.  When not in use the lift is pushed under the kayaks, pretty much out of the way and doesn't take up much space.  I have the side extensions for it but haven't used them, I'd keep them installed all the time if I didn't have to move the lift around the car hole when needed.  This is a B.O.B 1500 btw.

[Stormtruck2]

https://titanlifts.com/motorcycle/titan-1500xlt-motorcycle-lift.html

I have a Titan lift.  1500# capacity, front and side extensions, air over oil lift, and an all around great table.  Not sure what they cost now, but I paid $800 at JP Cycle  few years ago.  Had a problem when new with the pump, but they overnighted a new one. Exceptional warranty service. I would highly recommend them.  Best tool I have ever purchased.

[sign216]

https://titanlifts.com/motorcycle/titan-1500xlt-motorcycle-lift.html

I have a Titan lift.  1500# capacity, front and side extensions, air over oil lift, and an all around great table.  Not sure what they cost now, but I paid $800 at JP Cycle  few years ago.  Had a problem when new with the pump, but they overnighted a new one. Exceptional warranty service. I would highly recommend them.  Best tool I have ever purchased.
[/quote,

Good to know that Titan backs up their stuff. I was thinking about Harbor Freight, but am fearful of the lack of support.

Also thinking about the smaller 600 pound lifts offered by makers. None of my bikes are heavy so those would be entirely adequate.  The only drawback is that the lighter lifts don't offer all the features of the heavy ones, like the rear wheel dropout portion.

[rbm]

Got this pneumatic lift locally off a seller on Kijiji.



I welded on a 1/4" steel plate and made up a brace to support the V7.  It raises the bike almost chest height which makes working on the bikes easy.  Doing front and rear end service is a breeze because both wheels are free.



It is fiddly to position the lift under the bike and secure it, but the advantage is that I can store the lift out of the way.