motorcycle lift
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
First portable lift I got was a Laren, turned out to be about good for nothing. Got a Harbor Freight hi-lift (red one, in the pic) next, and still use that most of the time. Occasionally I want to move a bike, or need a lift when one is on the high lift, so I got an HF yellow; about as sturdy as any of the cheap portables I've seen, even handles my Glide ok as long as it's on flat concrete. It gets tippy pulling a wheel off the Glide on it - did that in the house, more below. I do not like the new style black HF jack at all, one I looked at in the store had the worst welding I've seen on any jack. Maybe they were training a new guy...
If I could only have one jack, guess I'd spend the money on a J&S, not as high as my red one, but sometimes you really want a rolling jack, and my hi-lift is anchored with a bike on it. Only con I have for it.
A wheel jack isn't as hard on a living room hardwood floor, either.
Just pull the front wheel first, gets real tippy with just the back wheel off - and pull the back wheel before pulling the forks. I've read that J&S jacks aren't near as tippy doing that.
Also helps if you're re-doing a wall, and don't suffer from having a wife in the house.
If I could only have one jack, guess I'd spend the money on a J&S, not as high as my red one, but sometimes you really want a rolling jack, and my hi-lift is anchored with a bike on it. Only con I have for it.
A wheel jack isn't as hard on a living room hardwood floor, either.
Just pull the front wheel first, gets real tippy with just the back wheel off - and pull the back wheel before pulling the forks. I've read that J&S jacks aren't near as tippy doing that.Also helps if you're re-doing a wall, and don't suffer from having a wife in the house.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I have the J&S jack as well. Used to have the harbor freight one but the flhtk felt to unstable for me. After I got the J&s the bike never moves on the lift. A bit more money I agree but peace of mind is priceless.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, Fl
Said she'd keep my bike washed if I bought her a safe, easy to use lift. So I took back the sears yellow jack I'd just bought night before and ordered a J&S. It was worth the price in many ways.
Only got rid of it because riding days are...at least for a year or two.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 541
Likes: 36
I used a Harbor Freight jack for about ten years . When jack started leaking I replaced it with a J&S. The HF jack was a little shaky but no problems. The J&S is night and day a better lift. It's rock solid and so easy to move bike around on . No regrets money well spent.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
I agree with the first sentence.
Last edited by hog95023; Feb 24, 2015 at 07:26 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Not that exact one but I used that style inexpensive jack for a lot of years. No problems.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: ohio
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