Which motorcycle lift?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
Jim,
I have an old red Craftsman motorcycle jack, It wont just "roll" under the bike so I took a 1x6 a couple ft long and taper the end roll front tire of Heritage on to board and now jack rolls under bike, yep same issue as to where I want the jack to hit the frame rails, so...... couple pieces of cedar placed on the jack rails to create a "shim" & I place the jack where ever to raise it - over 10 years and not a problem with that lift (however I do have a table lift I use most of the time.)
Not sure this helps as I didnt read the whole thread - so for what its worth, there ya have it.
I have an old red Craftsman motorcycle jack, It wont just "roll" under the bike so I took a 1x6 a couple ft long and taper the end roll front tire of Heritage on to board and now jack rolls under bike, yep same issue as to where I want the jack to hit the frame rails, so...... couple pieces of cedar placed on the jack rails to create a "shim" & I place the jack where ever to raise it - over 10 years and not a problem with that lift (however I do have a table lift I use most of the time.)
Not sure this helps as I didnt read the whole thread - so for what its worth, there ya have it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 302
Likes: 289
From: Worcestershire UK
The bike stays low lessening the chance of a fall, its reasonably stable, you don't have to bend and can scoot around the bike
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,598
Likes: 8,427
From: Inland NW
I love me some detail...but damn.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,598
Likes: 8,427
From: Inland NW
Are you saying that the many, many 18+ Softail owners are having this issue using a simple bike lift?
The Dyna was the only model I am aware of that was a bit tricky, and it still did not involve the level of paranoia that you are describing, at length.
The Dyna was the only model I am aware of that was a bit tricky, and it still did not involve the level of paranoia that you are describing, at length.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
It's a jack.
They all do the same thing, they pick motorcycles up.
They all do it the same way, two arms across the underside of the bike.
That's about all there is to it.
They all do the same thing, they pick motorcycles up.
They all do it the same way, two arms across the underside of the bike.
That's about all there is to it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I described and explained the merits and weaknesses of both of these top contenders to my wife. She favours the HD / OTC solution for a couple of reasons:
- Price of the HD/OTC lift is 1/3 of the Big Blue, and the difference is not small in absolute dollars, being almost $900 cash
- HD is very liability aware and liability averse, so if HD is selling the HD / OTC version, it must be a pretty safe product to actually use
- If I ever have a problem with either lift, getting help from my HD dealership where I am a repeat valued customer is going to be much more likely than from the Canadian distributor selling a product sold to him by a company in England
Good points.
Jim G
- Price of the HD/OTC lift is 1/3 of the Big Blue, and the difference is not small in absolute dollars, being almost $900 cash
- HD is very liability aware and liability averse, so if HD is selling the HD / OTC version, it must be a pretty safe product to actually use
- If I ever have a problem with either lift, getting help from my HD dealership where I am a repeat valued customer is going to be much more likely than from the Canadian distributor selling a product sold to him by a company in England
Good points.
Jim G
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 529
From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
It would not, but for every problem there's a solution https://www.amazon.co.uk/GiantexUK-P...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
The bike stays low lessening the chance of a fall, its reasonably stable, you don't have to bend and can scoot around the bike
The bike stays low lessening the chance of a fall, its reasonably stable, you don't have to bend and can scoot around the bike
Jim G
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 140
Likes: 81
From: Wisconsin
I have a J&S jack and a Pitbull jack. They are BOTH Very stable with my previous Road Glide Ultra, and my current Sport Glide. The Pit Bull is physically larger and will lift higher. They are both sturdy enough that I have yet to strap a bike to them. I have grabbed my bikes on them and shook them with no evidence that they are unstable at all. The original jacks that HD were selling were made by J&S. However both of these companies are out of business for whatever reason. They are the best motorcycle lifts ever made in my opinion..
