OP - It seems like asking about the best jack/table lift is close to asking about the best oil! :-) Kinda depends on a lotta individual things. Yesterday, I took the plunge and bought the HF jack, although this one's not yellow, it's black. Pittsburgh's 1500-lb. version. On sale to start, plus I had the 20% coupon in Rider magazine. Got it home and easily set it up. Of course, it would not fit under the bike on the jiffy stand, but I knew that ahead of time. A 2x4 and a 1x3 under the stand were enough to let the jack slip under the frame. Scared "witless" that it would fall or tip, I straddled the bike while my wife raised the lift. To my relief, the settled nicely onto the pads. I got off, we hiked it up to the first locking position, lowered the ram to relieve the the pressure on it, and there she sits until spring. I only need it now to do a better job of cleaning the bike, although I may tackle cam and hydraulic tensioner upgrade next fall. Good luck with your selection!

 

You don't really need the boards, just pull or push a little on the handlbars to lift the bike just a hair as you push the jack under the bike. It won't take much effort at all. I have to do this for both my SG and softail. Strangely, my 09 Ultra had no problem with my HF jack.

Beary

 

So how do you do it by yourself?

 

I think what he was trying to say was to stand the bike up a little and the jack should slide right under.

That is what I have to do with mine since I lowered it a little.

 

Yes, that is what I was trying to say. Thanks for clarifying it.

Beary

 

Went to HF yesterday. Downloaded a 20% off. coupon from their website ahead of trip. Got the (supposed) $299 hi-lift for $158, tax included. Don't think I really needed it, but had some money burning a hole in my pocket. Now, waiting for temps maybe 45 degrees warmer in the shop to assemble it.

 

Paid $469 total including shipping to NY and the oil drain pan accessory ($40 option). Used the 5% veteran discount

This video comparing J&S to Pitbull & Harbor Freight on youtube sealed the deal for me . . . . . even though the video looks to be pseudo advertising for J&S jacks, it still shows how superior their product is. You decide for yourself:

 

I've seen that video and have never managed to make my HF jack wiggle like that. Even with a bagger on it. Not sure what they did there.

 

I suspect they had someone out of camera range lifting up and pushing down on the front fender.

That said my J&S is a huge improvement on my HF jack.

 

I got a yellow HF for an extra jack (cheap as a stand with coupons), actually pretty sturdy. My first jack was a Laren, and it wobbled bad with a 300 lb Honda on it, never even tried a Harley - so some jacks actually are that bad. HF changed jacks last year, don't know if the black one is as good as the yellow, doesn't look like it to me.