Who bike jack?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 953
Likes: 127
From: Rome, NY
Don't fall for the J&S garbage. The pumps they outsource fail regularly and the company does not stand behind these. The jack itself is good, no question. But, what good is a jack when the pump fails? In truth, J&S does make a pump disclaimer; what the hell good is that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,081
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
A lot of answers will flow here.... but I use a Sears Craftsman jack I bought around $100 back in 2007. Served me well for my Sportster and this Street Glide. I have had good luck with it and treat it well. Not sure what i'd get if I had to replace. There are several good choices out there.....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I had a HF jack an thought it was great for the price....just remember when you lower it you stomp on the release pedal...if you try to ease the lowering pedal it will drop at once. Now I have the HF lift table an so far it's been well worth the $280. If I were buying another one I'd get the aluminum HF or the HF one that's similar to the one in post #11.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 205
From: Manchester, MI
Thank you Mr. J&S hater. Go read the reviews of any jack - car or bike, and they'll be full of failed pumps, be it HF, Sears, or J&S. Unless they make their own pump, and none of them do, it's a bit hard to guarantee the quality when the builder is in China, unless you have the resources of, say, Apple, who can send QC inspectors to oversee actual production. The difference between the HF and the J&S is in the material and quality of craftsmanship. So it's obvious all you care about is cost.
I had a Big Red motorcycle jack purchased for $69. It was very unstable. It is the same jack sold under different colors by different re-sellers (Craftsman, HF and so on). I found a Pitbull at an estate auction that looked brand new and paid $200 so I sold the cheap crap for $75. For those criticizing J&S, you have a valid point. The heart of the jack or lift table is the hydraulics and they are the same China crap regardless of color. So let's be fair, if the cheap motorcycle jacks are under $75, the extra tubing in a PitBull or J&S does not justify 8 times the price.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 756
Likes: 144
From: Burleson, TX
HF jack user here, maybe 4 years running and who knows how many times I've used it (used it today and last weekend too actually) with no issues. I'm sure the J&S is more stable and I'd get it if I needed another one and had the extra coin, but damn I've got some good use out of the HF one for the money.
@langwilliams I've never had an issue easing my HF jack down. I've never stomped on the pedal though.
@langwilliams I've never had an issue easing my HF jack down. I've never stomped on the pedal though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 11,252
From: San Diego, CA
Don't fall for the J&S garbage. The pumps they outsource fail regularly and the company does not stand behind these. The jack itself is good, no question. But, what good is a jack when the pump fails? In truth, J&S does make a pump disclaimer; what the hell good is that?
Don't follow your argument.....
You say that the J&S jack is good, but seem to suggest because they use the same pump as everyone else, you'd be better off saving money and buying a sub-standard jack with the same pump?
I've had a Sears jack that served me well for many years with my Softail. It was noticeably less stable when I added a Limited to my garage. When the Sears finally failed, on a whim, I got a J&S jack.....
Based on my experience, the J&S is a high quality jack, substantially better/more stable than my old Sears jack, and I believe worth the money...
Never had a problem with the Sears until it failed (after about 10 years of service) and have never had a problem with the J&S, going on 6 years now
Now, just how good of a jack do you really need, is totally up to you...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 47
From: Largo, FL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 6,619
From: Stafford VA
HF jack for 10yrs with out issue, also I change my fluids on the jiffy stand, You will find many uses for it other then fluid changes, removal of primary, wheels, neck bearing adjustments, fork fluid change and the list goes on. oh yeah, works very well when removing a gas take out of the jeep TJ to change the fuel pump.
rk classic.
rk classic.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 866
Likes: 248
From: N.Y.C
I bought the J&S caught a special and got he the t handle and oil pan accessory. I paid too much for my bike and spent a lot to make it the way I want it to fall off of a poorly made cheap jack. I want to get the Handy table lift next.