Opinions wanted on MC Lifts for the shop

I'm looking for experienced opinions on motorcycle lifts. My knees and back need some favors so I've been looking at these. My shop is only 8' wide and with a work bench on one side that leaves about 5 1/2' for a bike and to walk around it. I also need to walk past it when I'm not working on it as the work area is at the front of a 60' x 8' space I need to access often.

This is steering me away from the ramp style that the wheels sit on in favor of the sizzor jacks that fit under the frame. The smaller the foot print the better so I can get around it easier and roll it against the wall when I'm not wrenchin.

This is lookin good to me but I'd like more lift.

http://www.eagleequip.com/page/EE/PROD/LI-MC/AO-5905

These are a few from our local bike trader. One has 4 inches lift above yours $150 au and another has twice the lift $199au. Chinese made and good quality. Maybe you can find something like these in your area or contact the supplier for more info. Fax03 93976277 ph03 93971252 mobile 0411889840
Regards
Greg

Sam's as well as Pep Boys & Sears have them for under $100.

Take a look at the Kenden lift. Not cheap but very well made. It is very narrow with the top only as wide as the tires. You can support the bike in the center with a small jack and pull off the back of the table to do a rear tire change. When not in use it stands up on end and takes up very little room.

The kendon looks nice but I'm starting with a bare frame and going up from there so I thought the small square footprint lifts would be best. Trouble is those ones just don't seem to have the height. I can see where you would almost want 2, one of each situation. In my search I found one for around $400.00 that had a picture of a harley on top with a rider on it too. The ad had a brag line about it being the best motorcycle lift. It really looked like a nice one with a small footprint but do you think I can find that web page again?

I've never used one but they sure seem like the cat's meow.

Boz suggestion is a good one if you have the cash. The table type lift is much more stable than the frame lift. I have both. The Norton I find difficult to lift by the frame with the exhaust on. You need to put blocks on the pad to reach up to the frame rail. Not a very stable condition. And the higher you lift it, the shakier it is.

The table lift is stable and the Kendon that Boz recommended is only 28 inches wide and as he says folds to store. I have a Handy lift, but it takes up more width than 28 inches and while it rolls around, is too heavy to pick up and store against a wall.

Here's a link to the Kendon site. http://www.kendonusa.com/lift.htm

I'd like to have one of those myself. It would be nice to have when I need an extra lift and be able to stash it in a corner when I don't.

Candian tire sells a good life about $110 reg, got mine for $80 on sale.

I think what you are referring to is sold as the "Easy Rizer".
Here's a link:
http://www.standsecure.com/eazyrizer.htm
And a review on how well it works.
http://webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-lift/bike-lift/

RennieK said:

I'm looking for experienced opinions on motorcycle lifts. My knees and back need some favors so I've been looking at these. My shop is only 8' wide and with a work bench on one side that leaves about 5 1/2' for a bike and to walk around it. I also need to walk past it when I'm not working on it as the work area is at the front of a 60' x 8' space I need to access often.

This is steering me away from the ramp style that the wheels sit on in favor of the sizzor jacks that fit under the frame. The smaller the foot print the better so I can get around it easier and roll it against the wall when I'm not wrenchin.

This is lookin good to me but I'd like more lift.

http://www.eagleequip.com/page/EE/PROD/LI-MC/AO-5905

Click to expand...

Being that you're in Canada, check Princess Auto as they always sell them cheap and check Canadian Tire. I bought mine there, like the one you are looking at for around $85 on sale.


Does anyone know where to get the small, rectangular scissor jacks up here in Canada? The type that just fits under the frame rails and can be used on a large style table or lift. Been looking for one up here for what seems forever.

The cheap jacks can be made to work in a stable way. This wood detail can be found around Pallets they are used to guide banding stock underneath the load. You can find or make them. A little skill saw carving and you can get clearance for kick stand lugs and center stand reliefs.