When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Workable options are more plentiful for the touring models. The Softails and Sportster are more challenging because of the jiffy stand location and frame height clearance. From where I sit, I only know of one jack that works well/is worth your time... That would be the J&S jack.
On the left is a J&S. On the right a Titan MPJ-1500. This picture clearly shows one of the issues you'll likely find with typical jacks you might come across. The bar on the leading edge of the Titan is an issue when it comes to clearing the jiffy stand (especially on Sportsters). So is the leading crossmember between the rails. Two other things that make the J&S supperior is the width of the rails and the fact that the lift support members are nearly veritical when the lift is fully up. Not so on the Titan. The Titan support members are still at a considerable angle producing more leverage and less stability. Both my Heritage and (especially) my Nightster are rock solid on the J&S jack. Not so much on the Titan (both can rock considerably).
Other performance differences between the two - lowering speed/control and rolling the bike around. The J&S wins hands down.
Perhaps another consideration is the bottle jack. Most of the cheaper jacks have bottles with pin through type rams. If you ever have to replace the bottle, it may be difficult to find a replacement for the bottles with pin through type rams. The J&S jack accommodates generic screw ram extensions, pump handles, and release screw making finding a potential generic replacement much easier. You could probably rebuid either, so there is that.
J&S jacks are expensive. I'd recommend searching CL or Facebook MP for a used one in good shape to save $$$.
If lift height is not a concern and stability/mobilility/ease of use is, then maybe other options like these might work...
Workable options are more plentiful for the touring models. The Softails and Sportster are more challenging because of the jiffy stand location and frame height clearance.
With the jack I have I can just sit on the bike put the kickstand up, and then reach down and lift he bike up with my ratchet.
Been doing that ever since I broke up with my gf and I didn't have a set of helping hands anymore, lol.
With the jack I have I can just sit on the bike put the kickstand up, and then reach down and lift he bike up with my ratchet.
Been doing that ever since I broke up with my gf and I didn't have a set of helping hands anymore, lol.
Yes. I've done that too. Not a great solution. In my case, when lifting the Nightster this way, I'd have to put the jiffy stand up which lead to another problem... The jiffy stand mount (and the bike's weight) would ride on the crossmember between the rails. Not good. Better to have the bike's weight on the actual lift rails. Other lifts may vary... But for my use and expectations, the Titan had to be replaced and I wasn't going to screw around this time. Bought the J&S jack. All problems solved.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
