This is going to go on forever...

 

I should point out here thta after a LOT of Googling, reading user reviews in detail, and talking with lift suppliers, the lift that I actually like the most is the Big Blue, but my wife simply will not agree to spend $1339 on a motorcycle lift, given the realities of our retirement budget and other priorities.

But my second choice WOULD be the TMG, IF I could actually see a track record of reviews for it. The large TMG lifting platform provides much more theoretical protection against slippage off of the lift, and the very large frame base provides superior stability if the bike is not precisely at its center of gravity , or you apply too much torque to a bolt or nut on the lifted bike. The 17" lift height is not wonderful, but acceptable to me. The price at $649 CDN is moderate and fully acceptable. Unfortunately, the lift is too new and too few have been sold to create any online track record of actual reviews. As mentioned earlier, I found ONE review total, That one was favourable but also shallow in its actual content. So, buying the TMG would represent more risk than either the Big Blue or the Pittsburgh lift.

The Pittsburgh lift has some serious advantages too: low weight for easy portability, the same 17" height as the TMG, almost the same wonderfully low height when fully down (very unusual for a jack type hydraulic lift), and a relatively bargain price of $230 US = $315 CDN if I pick it up (no shipping cost).

ALL 3 lifts can go low enough to slip under my breakout even when it is tilted on its sidestand, which I consider a critical feature.

Jim G

 

It is not compulsory reading . . .

But Foxtrapper in particular is pretty experienced on motorcycle lifts, and I have recently spent a LOT of time educating myself, because I now have a muscle situation which threatens my ability to wash and maintain my bike, and therefor my ability to motorcycle. So, I am VERY serious about getting a lift, and want to minimize any risks I can in what is by definition always risky: lifting any heavy bike irhgt off the ground,m and the higher you go, the higher the risks.

So yeah, I intend to absolutely murder this topic until I can make a well-thoughtout decision on which lift. Maybe my education will also help others.

Jim G

 

I hadn't posted a photo of the Pittsburgh lift. That's because, just like yesterday, for some reason I can't seem to be able to post photos here today. I'll ask a moderator why that might be.

Jim G

edit: Got a reply from moderator. The problem is in the forum software, not yet resolved. Cannot load jpeg images. Png or screenshots are ok. No timeline yet for the forum repair.

Jim G

 

Deleted

 

Like I said....

 

Try clicking on the 1, 2 or 3 star reviews, there are enough that I'd not let it get within 10' of my bike.

 

I did not know you could select the number of stars. I will do that! Thank-you!

Jim G

 

I used the star selector to select and read in order all the 1 star, 2 star, and 3 star reports. The vast majority of the problems users encountered were because they made fundamental errors such as:

- Some users bought the lift not noticing that it has a lift platform that has a relatively small clear space to access drain plugs, and never checked to see how that shape would work with their bike

- People with Sportsters and Dynas, and all sorts of other bikes whose frame tubes are NOT the lowest parts of the bike seemed to not realize that a lift like this cannot be used on those bikes! No way you could get any stability!

- Users not familiar with the "twist the handle" to release do not understand that you must rotate the handle only very slightly and slowly to get slow realse. Move too much or too fast and yes, the lift will descend like a rocket. I have an ordinary hydraulic jack (not lift) with that feature, and it is GREAT when used PROPERLY.

- Many of the 1,2 3 star users do not understand that when using a lift with small lift platform AND also small footprint, that uses mechanical rods to lift the bike, it is not sufficient to place the bike just anywhere on the platform as long as it is supported in all 4 directions. You have to be rEASONABLY close to the center of gravity of the bike. Otherwise, yes, the bike will sway unsteadily

- Some users apparently did not realize that the "topper" level of the platform is removable, and is NOT to be used if you don't need it to get to the right lift point (it is very useful for ATVs, not motorcycles). That's why they complained it was too high to fit under their bike!

- Many users did not realize that the lock engages automatically, not just when lifting UP, but apparently also when lowering the lift towards the very bottom of its range. At that low point, it requires manual disengagement. This is to protect both the bike and the lift if someone lowers it at high speed and would otherwise go right into the unstable "onto the sidestand" range of travel

I do agree however that the 1500 lb weight limit is wildly optimistic. That's probably just the mechanical lift ability rating of the hydraulic cylinder alone. That high a cylinder rating is needed for just about any motorcycle lift simply because the cylinders do degrade over time, so extra capacity is needed and also cheap. But trying too lift really heavy baggers, or a Trimuph Rocket 3, on an aluminum lift is a foolish idea, even if a user is experienced enough and patient enough to balance the bike properly on the lift instead of depending upon the lift to correct their positioning error. But I think it should be obvious that an aluminum lift like this is good for 800 lb bikes maybe, but not 1000 or 1100 lb bikes.

Overall though, your conclusion is understandable and reasonable. A steel lift would be more stable simply because Steel is notably stiffer than Aluminum. But if you have the rlow ground clearnce requirement I have, there are VERY few steel jack lifts that will go low enough (I have looked hard, and the hD / OTC one is one of just a few that exist these days. Most of today's steel hydraulic jack lifts unfortunately have user reviews that make this aluminum lift look really, really good in comparison.

Gosh I wish I could get some user reviews on that TMG lift. But, they just aren't out there, at least yet.

And again, Ihave to point out that while the suggestions to find an "old, better made' steel jack lift are good advice, I have been looking for at least a couple of weeks and they simply don't apepar on Facebook, etc at least here inAlberta, Canada. The jack lift that appears most often by far is the "Motormaster" sold by Canadian Tire (One of Canada's store chains somewhat similar to Harbor Freight), because that is normally the "low price bargain" here when bought new. But, that jack lift is a non-starter for me, because like so many other jack lifts, it cannot drop below FIVE inches.

Regardless of what some have said, there is no simple solution when it comes to lifting motorcycles in the cruiser size and weight class. And if a buyer does not do rather detailed research before buying, they are either going to have to do a product return, or drop and dmage their bike, or injure themselves. That's fact, not bull.

Jim G

 

This review says it all in two words.