Motorcycle Jack
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Motorcycle Jack
I'm sure there's plenty of discussion somewhere on here about motorcycle jacks but I can't seem to find them when I do a search so I thought I'd start this thread by asking a few questions.What type of motorcycle jack do you use?
Pro's and Con's about your jack.
I have used a Harbor Frieght one before and it scared the crap out of me. It was real jerky as I was lowering the bike back down. And the last time I used it one the pads started to slide off taking the bike with it (I managed to get the bike down before it fell off).
I'll never use a HF jack again.
I heard a lot of good talk about the "red" craftsman being better (and cost less) than the lighter "yellow" one. But I like the fact that the "yellow" Craftsman is aluminum and lighter.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-motor...a=00950190000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-profe...p-00950191000P
I was also considering this one
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcy...FQcJaQodxyMAjA
Does anyone use this? I see it used a lot in the shops.
(used mostly with motorcycle lifts)
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcy...ack/p/BW-1604/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
I used the red Craftsman on my '03 Heritage Softail for about 10 years. Mostly for detailing, oil changes, and general minor maintenance. I never removed a tire or did anything that would totally change the balance point.
When I added an Ultra to my garage, I used the Craftsman for minor detailing, but nothing else. It just DID NOT seem stable on that jack.
A few months ago, the Craftsman got to the point where it would raise either bike, but the jack would start to bleed down almost immediately after raising it.
Wasn't going to repair a 10 year old jack and spent the money on a J&S jack. It is easily twice the jack the Craftsman was. Holds the Ultra easily, and removed the front tire on the Softail and it was still rock solid.
Depending on what you do and what bike you have, the craftsman will suffice for awhile. If you plan to work on a bigger bike or do repairs that will change the balance point, I'd save you money a bit longer and get a J&S or PitBull.
Now that I'm retired, I plan to do almost all my repairs & maintenance. I'm finally tired of kneeling and bending.... there is a lift table in my near future...!
Good luck with your choice...
When I added an Ultra to my garage, I used the Craftsman for minor detailing, but nothing else. It just DID NOT seem stable on that jack.
A few months ago, the Craftsman got to the point where it would raise either bike, but the jack would start to bleed down almost immediately after raising it.
Wasn't going to repair a 10 year old jack and spent the money on a J&S jack. It is easily twice the jack the Craftsman was. Holds the Ultra easily, and removed the front tire on the Softail and it was still rock solid.
Depending on what you do and what bike you have, the craftsman will suffice for awhile. If you plan to work on a bigger bike or do repairs that will change the balance point, I'd save you money a bit longer and get a J&S or PitBull.
Now that I'm retired, I plan to do almost all my repairs & maintenance. I'm finally tired of kneeling and bending.... there is a lift table in my near future...!
Good luck with your choice...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 799
From: Indiana
YEP, J&S for me as well. I had 2 crapsman jacks and both failed.......
I can sit on my bike, on my J&S in the garage in the winter and make motorcycle sounds............ while I watch TV...........
I can sit on my bike, on my J&S in the garage in the winter and make motorcycle sounds............ while I watch TV...........
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 25
From: Santa Fe NM
Had a HF jack for several years which did the job if one likes working on their knees
Upgraded to a Pitbull lift about three years ago... got the bike higher and more stable. If I did not have what I have now I would use a pit bull
I now have a Bestway lift.... simply the best.
Upgraded to a Pitbull lift about three years ago... got the bike higher and more stable. If I did not have what I have now I would use a pit bull
I now have a Bestway lift.... simply the best.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
I had the Sears red jack and bought a like new Sears yellow jack for $80.
I kept the yellow jack for the sole reason that it's lightweight and that allows me to hang it on the wall. The red jack felt more stable though because the base is square and it's heavier.
I had an opportunity recently to pick up a like new JS Jacks for $250 and actually went and looked at it. However eventhough $250 was a good deal I decided it was more jack than what I needed and it's too heavy to hang on the wall.
I'm not a big wrench turner, but I do change my own fluids and have pulled the front and rear wheels for tire replacement.
The yellow jack is more than secure enough to hold up my Heritage and when strapped down I have no problem sitting on the bike when it's jacked up and have actually done so, but I don't see too many reasons why you need to sit on the bike when it's jacked up.
So my recommendation: Sears red jack if you have floor space, Sears yellow jack if you're going to want to hang it, JS Jacks if you've got floor space and are expecting to do a lot of maintenance.
I kept the yellow jack for the sole reason that it's lightweight and that allows me to hang it on the wall. The red jack felt more stable though because the base is square and it's heavier.
I had an opportunity recently to pick up a like new JS Jacks for $250 and actually went and looked at it. However eventhough $250 was a good deal I decided it was more jack than what I needed and it's too heavy to hang on the wall.
I'm not a big wrench turner, but I do change my own fluids and have pulled the front and rear wheels for tire replacement.
The yellow jack is more than secure enough to hold up my Heritage and when strapped down I have no problem sitting on the bike when it's jacked up and have actually done so, but I don't see too many reasons why you need to sit on the bike when it's jacked up.
So my recommendation: Sears red jack if you have floor space, Sears yellow jack if you're going to want to hang it, JS Jacks if you've got floor space and are expecting to do a lot of maintenance.
Last edited by Bluraven; Jul 13, 2014 at 09:44 PM.
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