Hydraulic Table Bike Lift

[BobA]

Maybe a dumb question but I don't have space for a table lift and to park my scoot, MGX. Is it practical and safe to use a table lift as your regular parking spot? I've always heard that no questions are dumb but I've got a bad feeling about this one!? Lol

[Kev m]

Can you store a bike on a lift - of course.

But the real question is whether or not it is WORTH the trouble. The ramp and the wheel chock are the practical issues, though the wheel chock is relatively easy to address. The ramp, especially the bigger the bike, is the problem and can be quite awkward to live with day in and day out.

The REAL answer (one that I have toyed with) is to jack-hammer up part of concrete floor and make a recessed area in which the table lift can sit level with the floor when it is retracted. That way coming on and off the lift doesn't involve a ramp.

I WILL do this someday.... someday.

[Trialsman]

I have had my Husaberg on the table since I got back from Idaho in Aug.  It frees up floor space for the other bikes in the stable.

[lti_57]

Like kev said of course but its a pain
And its not stable on a lift, until its tied down and secured.
not sure if you can put your side stand down when your bike is on the lift. That would certainly help.
None of my bike have never been able to have the side stand down and be on the lift .

[Kev m]

Like kev said of course but its a pain
And its not stable on a lift, until its tied down and secured.
not sure if you can put your side stand down when your bike is on the lift. That would certainly help.
None of my bike have never been able to have the side stand down and be on the lift .

I'm assuming he doesn't mean to store it LIFTED on the lift, just parked on the lift because he doesn't have room for both the lift and the bike side-by-side..... but I could be wrong.

I do know a guy who stores his RK on his lift (the lift in the lowered position). A decent wheel chock goes a long way for that, but it's still a little bit of work every time you ride (which I think is more once in a while than every day for him).

[BobA]

Hey Kev M 

You have it right lack of space and also about it being sketchy coming on and off on a regular basis. Lift has a Condor wheel chock so wouldn't need the side stand down, but I'm thinking of wet tires on a steel table as I live in Fl and it only rains when I ride. Local farmers call to see if I'm going out!!

[Kev m]

Hey Kev M 

You have it right lack of space and also about it being sketchy coming on and off on a regular basis. Lift has a Condor wheel chock so wouldn't need the side stand down, but I'm thinking of wet tires on a steel table as I live in Fl and it only rains when I ride. Local farmers call to see if I'm going out!!

That's where putting it in the floor will really shine. And you could always paint a non-skid surface on the lift to boot.

[BobA]

Almost forgot. MGXs are know to be more than a little awkward at low speed maneuvers. OK, maybe a tad more than a little

[Furbo]

I do it all the time, but generally with a lighter bike: NX650, DR350, XR650L, think the biggest I put there for any length of time was a 650 V Strom.

[Perazzimx14]

Maybe a dumb question but I don't have space for a table lift and to park my scoot, MGX. Is it practical and safe to use a table lift as your regular parking spot? I've always heard that no questions are dumb but I've got a bad feeling about this one!? Lol

The only 2 times I don't have a motorcycle parked on my HF motorcycle lift is:

1. I am out riding the bike that was parked on the lift
2. I'm using the lift as a workbench

[Rusnak_322]

I always have one bike parked on the lift. I got the cheap HF chock that holds the bike up. It is great, but I do use tie downs just because I am paranoid.

 https://www.harborfreight.com/1800-lb-capacity-motorcycle-standwheel-chock-61670.html?cid=paid_google|||61670&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=s|pcrid|385364674725|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|61670|&pgrid=79002131512&ptaid=pla-299782783175&pcid=6549872779&intent=&gclid=CjwKCAiA35rxBRAWEiwADqB37_WLWOSJIUZKdmk4ahFmYHmkJd-k6bZk4PgEe54EpH9TuNBkGGAPPBoCgykQAvD_BwE

[Cam3512]

I keep my little '67 Stornello on the HF lift.  But it's small and light.  I would NOT want to be putting an MGX on and off a lift by myself.  One wrong move and it'll be ugly(er).

[Chuck in Indiana]

Austin's has been on my lift since late last fall.  Hmmm, what's wrong with this picture? 

[Tom H]

If I had a bike lift and needed space, I would "store" a bike on it in the lowered position. But....I would also add something to make a floor around the lift so that I have a wider area to be able to put my feet on and maybe use the side stand.

The HF chock I think is a good one, to make it better a few washers are needed to keep the parts from moving side to side. Also, it needs to be secured to the floor in some way to keep it from moving when you pull the bike in and especially when out. I have a hole in my floor for an anchor, I use a small metal rod to keep it from sliding. If anyone wants a pic for the washers, I can take one latter.

The only downside to this chock is that you need to adjust it correctly. I's set perfect for my Guzzies 110/90-18, but my HD 100/90-19 is held perfect, but when you pull the bike out it can be a bit of a bear. If I adjust it for the HD, I almost need to make a new hole. Guzzi hole is almost too far apart and the next hole is almost too close.

Tom

[Perazzimx14]

The only times my HF motorcycle table doen't have a motocycle parked on it is when I am riding the motorcycle that was parked on it or I am using the life as worksurface for another project. 

[knockerjoe]

I also have  the HF lift with the self locking chock shown in the link above.
I have used it in the past to park 800lb Harley touring bikes so your MGX would
be no problem. Yes it is no problem getting on and off with  one person but it is
a pain in the neck as rocking it out of the chock, putting on my side ramps ( the table is
not wide enough to put you feet down) tying down, rear ramp, etc.
I use it to save space as I have 2  bikes and a narrow garage.I wouldn’t go through the
hassle if it was the only bike I used pertaining to the HF lift. If it were a wide low lift
then I would say yes. My two cents.

[Moto]

I park my Griso or my T3 on my lift, depending on which one is on-base for more work.

I ride the bikes onto the lift, but have started using my $40 RhinoGear plastic car service ramps on either side as places to put my feet down.





This works just fine. (I used to dab one or the other foot down to the floor, but I'm getting chicken lately.) It's also no big deal to back the bike off the ramp while sitting on it.

I might push the bikes up the ramp if I had more room to the left side, but I don't.

In short, yes, it's no big deal to park on a ramp, but it requires a little thought and/or practice to do it easily and safely.

EDIT: By the way, my lift is a Handy, with the Handy chock. These are better quality than some, I guess. Once I ride up into the chock, I dismount while holding the bike vertical and then step down to the side of the ramp to crank the chock closed.

EDIT2: The motorcycle loading ramp is not too long or much in the way. It's the OEM Handy one. It's easy to move if needed.

Moto

[frozengoose]

While i don't usually put the bikes on the lift anytime for parking (use it for a work bench/welding table), they are up there for service/repair and have had no problems putting them on or off.
 


As you can see from the photo, the ramp is not attached to the table, it's just set in place to roll the bike on/off. I'm currently making a wooden ramp to use in it's place, just figured it'd be a lot easier to move around since it's lighter, smaller and be easier to store. I put the bike on the center stand, then lock it into the wheel clamp. But if it's just parked there with the table on the floor, I'd just leave it on the stand if you're not working on it or raising the table, since it's almost the same as parking it anywhere else. I've never had any problems with the bikes tipping over on the table and I've used this one for over twenty years.

[pyoungbl]

The standard ramp for my Handy lift had a slope that caused me some problems when I had my Stelvio NTX.  Due to the way my small garage is built I could not get a good running start when pushing the bike up that ramp.  I finally built a plywood ramp that is 48" wide and 48" long so now I have both a more gentle slope but also can walk up that same slope.  Oh, I use the Handy side extensions too.

With that said, in a perfect world I would have the lift flush with the garage floor...as Kev mentioned.

Peter Y.

[Dukedesmo]

I have a lift in the workshop and use it as a parking space for a bike all the time. I like doing this because as the front wheel chock holds the bike upright, I can slip a paddock stand under the rear and the bike (without centre stand) is effectively on a centre stand.


I usually park the Monster on there as it suits (being the lightest bike) and I can access the chain for lubing etc.





Plus with 3 Italian bikes, there's almost always one of them needs to be on the lift.       


As for setting the ramp into the floor - consider the actual lift height you'll lose if you do...

[twowheeladdict]

Hey Kev M 

You have it right lack of space and also about it being sketchy coming on and off on a regular basis. Lift has a Condor wheel chock so wouldn't need the side stand down, but I'm thinking of wet tires on a steel table as I live in Fl and it only rains when I ride. Local farmers call to see if I'm going out!!

It rained every day when I lived in Daytona Beach.  The trick was that it never lasted longer than 1/2 an hour and then boy did the humidity kick up during the evaporation.  I learned to always wait it out because I got tired of stopping sideways at a light while wondering if I was going to drift into the intersection. 

If the lift is a solid built lift (not HF) and your legs are long enough for the possible stop while front tire is up on the ramp while back tire on the ground making the seat a lot further away, then go for it.  As far as slippery when wet they have products to help with that, or you could mix in some play sand with some metal adhering paint. 

[BRG-BIRD]

With my three bikes and limited garage space there is a bike perpetually parked on the lift. 

[BobA]

Thanks for all the replies (except the one about getting ugly-er)) and good ideas. I won't be jack-hammering out the floor but will bolt the frame to the floor. Have struggled mightily getting my RK out of the Condor wheel chock on my trailer. With a 21" front wheel I wonder how it will act? Maybe just a wheel "Clamp" system with rubber protection would alleviate that hassle. Agree about the side tables installed for foot room to get on and off. And yes I will keep in the lowered position 90% of the time except maintenance or cleaning.

[Tom H]

Someone here talked about the side bits for his lift a few years ago. He made a frame out of something like 2X4's and covered them with plywood. He hinged the plywood and now has storage room for things he wants to use with the lift like a small jack, tie downs ect..

Tom

[Motormike]

As everyone mentions, using a lift is easy with a light-weight bike, a heavy one, not so much.  Some bikes I can roll onto my lift, but most require I ride the bike up.  Every lift sits about 7-8 inches above the floor surface.  Doesn't sound like much unless your trying to push 700 lbs up a ramp.  Watch this video and you will see what I mean! Just skip ahead to about the 11:30 mark,  it'll make you real nervous!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=n_QRq04U0XM&feature=emb_logo

One more thing: Wheel chocks.  The Baxley chock is the only one of the "teeter-totter" style wheel chocks that is any good.  The rest, Condor, Harbor Freight, etc. are junk.  I've tried them all and only the Baxley is a true one-person roll on, roll off wheel chock. The chock doesn't slide, the front tire doesn't get stuck.  For big touring bikes I have one of these: https://wheeldock.com/
Expensive but strictly a one-man operation.  They work great.

[jpv7]

+1 for parking on the lift.  I have a ride in wheel chock like the HF on my lift, so it's secure.  Just push it up the small ramp and into the chock.  Real easy.

[roadventure]

Is it practical and safe to use a table lift as your regular parking spot?

Yes, of course it is.

[roadventure]

Hey Kev M 

You have it right lack of space and also about it being sketchy coming on and off on a regular basis. Lift has a Condor wheel chock so wouldn't need the side stand down, but I'm thinking of wet tires on a steel table as I live in Fl and it only rains when I ride. Local farmers call to see if I'm going out!!

Get some traction tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Stair-Treads-Non-Slip-Outdoor-Tape/dp/B07M6BT1ZH?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-exp-a-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07M6BT1ZH

or

https://www.amazon.com/Tape-King-Anti-Slip-Traction/dp/B01M63K167?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-exp-a-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01M63K167

[pehayes]

But....I would also add something to make a floor around the lift so that I have a wider area to be able to put my feet on and maybe use the side stand.

Bingo.  Exactly as I did.  Used wood to build a platform to the left side of the lift.  Sits on the floor but is top level with the lowered lift table deck.  Ride up and put foot and sidestand to the left.  Careful  you don't tilt to the right!  Careful you don't go too fast as the wheels will easily lock and slide on the steel deck.  Careful you don't go too slow and stop halfway up the ramp.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[twowheeladdict]

This is what I did to my HF lift.

Loosen a few nuts and the extensions slide out of the way.