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Anyone reccomend a Motorcycle lift table that doesn't break the bank?


DewMan

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I'm considering a lift table to assist with maintenance. This will be for personal use, not shop use. All the bending over is hard on my well worn joints.

I'm hoping to keep the price under USD $1,000.

Any drawbacks to choosing a hydraulic vs pneumatic action?  I already have a compressor so that's not an issue.

I've notice a highly rated HarborFreight hydraulic model. But most only mention that it's "good for the price". I'm looking for one that's more "good at any price". I'm also leery of HarborFreight's hit or miss quality. There's an Identical looking Black Widow hydraulic model at Discount Ramps for about the same price.

Discount Ramps has a Black Widow pneumatic model that is a nicely priced as well. 

 

If anyone can offer what to look for in a lift table and/or offer recommendations as to which one to buy, or stay away from, would be greatly appreciated. ✌️

 

 

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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Following because my old bones can use a break also. Not fun working on a cold garage floor. 

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My brother in-law has the Harbor Freight model, he uses it for his Harley’s, dressers no less. 😳

It has held up well over the past few years. I worked on his Sportster on it with him. It was stable and seemed fine. I’m considering one for working on the FZ and SV. 

 

Ed

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"Do not let this bad example influence you, follow only what is good" 

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Mine happens to be more expensive than most of my budies' lifts are but it's no nicer, no handier, and no more stable than theirs are. I've used theirs as much as mine. Theirs are both hydraulic and pneumatic but I have no preference, both styles are nice.  The only place where mine might outclass theirs is in a commercial capacity, it has add on sides, front, is heavier than it needs to be but is a big PITA to move around in the shop or stow out of the way when not needed. 

If I were to do it again I would get the Harbor Freight model, I'm jealous of the three budies I have that went that route every time I help them. And they got theirs on sale for like $299 or something.

I've also helped guys trackside with the static tables made of both wood and metal that are super nice. They just use a simple ramp to get the bike up and use front and rear stands to stabilize the bike. You could make a wooden one for like $40.  

$.02

Edited by mossrider
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Harbor Freight has a big sale this weekend and I think I am going to pick one up. I have had pretty good luck with their stuff for the most part. Thanks for posting up some reviews. 

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23 minutes ago, 1tondriver said:

Harbor Freight has a big sale this weekend and I think I am going to pick one up. I have had pretty good luck with their stuff for the most part. Thanks for posting up some reviews. 

The 20% off Columbus Day only super coupon expired today unfortunately... it would have gotten it down to $360. I'm thinking I'll wait for the next super coupon.

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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Damn you right, just looked at email. Just like you said there will be another one soon. I might stop in tomorrow as sometimes they will honor coupon a day late any ways. 

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Just now, DewMan said:

The 20% off Columbus Day only super coupon expired today unfortunately... it would have gotten it down to $360. I'm thinking I'll wait for the next super coupon.

Call customer service and whine. I've done this before and always got the sale price. Just saying.  Did this a while back when I got my Predator 3500 genny for $659. Whoop!

Edited by mossrider
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Just now, mossrider said:

Call customer service and whine. I've done this before and always got the sale price. Just saying.

I'm hoping to save almost USD $100 in shipping charges by buying it a mile up the road at my local HF store.  It's nothing I need today. I can wait for next coupon.

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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19 hours ago, DewMan said:

The 20% off Columbus Day only super coupon expired today unfortunately... it would have gotten it down to $360. I'm thinking I'll wait for the next super coupon.

Find a bike magazine on the shelf in a store with the $299 coupon.  Happens all the time.  Heck you might find it on line too.   I bought one and it is the best thing I've done for working on bikes.   Sure it would be nice to have a scissor style set up, but they run several hundred. 

Do not forget their $29 w/coupon front wheel chock:

 

image.png.aa396d5d117dcd7eef7aa22659be662a.png

 

Otherwise all I did with my lift was to attach a couple chunks of 2x4 to the front corners, just long enough to touch down when the lift is down, because I would step on the end and the rear would lift.  Doesn't do it now.

Edited by klx678
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Dewman, there's 2 guys here that have the HF lift and it's working fine, and one of these said guys is a bike refurbisher,

and he does the big Honda Aspencade Gold wings, he's had it a while and had nothing but good to say of it.....

I'm getting one ....  that's the best I can say about anything.....

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I picked up the HF lift today. Got an “open box” special for a smokin deal. Seems really sturdy and should serve my needs. 

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2 hours ago, 1tondriver said:

I picked up the HF lift today. Got an “open box” special for a smokin deal. Seems really sturdy and should serve my needs. 

I look forward to hearing your opinion of it. 👍

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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I have this one for 15 years now. Work on it daily. Hard to beat for price. And is longer than HF one which helps when you using stand when bike is on it.

 

ProcycleMain_t.jpg

The Pro Cycle has quickly become one of America’s #1 motorcycle lifts. All Pro Cycle lifts have a 93” table, a 20” approach ramp, and are air operated

 

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14 hours ago, DewMan said:

I look forward to hearing your opinion of it. <img src=">

I will be installing a quick shifter next week so I will post a review. Looking forward to doing it while standing!

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Anyone with a lift table wishing they had, or regret getting, the removable side rails that make the table wider? Or does the extra width just keep you from getting as close to the work as you'd prefer?

I don't have mowers or quads so I ask specifically as it pertains to motorcycle use.

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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I ordered my without it and never had need for them. 

Only thing nice to have is removable section under the rear tire if you have or will work on cruisers. Their wheels don't come out back like sport bikes.

You can always buy cheap jack under the engine for that. 

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1 hour ago, DewMan said:

Anyone with a lift table wishing they had, or regret getting, the removable side rails that make the table wider? Or does the extra width just keep you from getting as close to the work as you'd prefer?

I don't have mowers or quads so I ask specifically as it pertains to motorcycle use.

They would be nice to have if I wrenched on my sled but I barely do (have extended warranty). This HF lift is going to work out well. I say go for it DewMan when you get a good coupon. 

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2 hours ago, 1tondriver said:

They would be nice to have if I wrenched on my sled but I barely do (have extended warranty). This HF lift is going to work out well. I say go for it DewMan when you get a good coupon. 

I hope a Coupon comes out soon or I'll probably spend way more money on a more expensive Pneumatic lift. ☺️

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DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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Just now, DewMan said:

Anyone with a lift table wishing they had, or regret getting, the removable side rails that make the table wider? Or does the extra width just keep you from getting as close to the work as you'd prefer?

I don't have mowers or quads so I ask specifically as it pertains to motorcycle use.

I leave them off mine and throw a piece of plywood on it when I want a lawn mower or quad on it. The side rails are a pain for bikes, too wide. I use the drop deck panel in back a lot. The wheel vise is nice but won't fit a 180+ rear tire to put bike on table backwards. 

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22 minutes ago, mossrider said:

I leave them off mine and throw a piece of plywood on it when I want a lawn mower or quad on it. The side rails are a pain for bikes, too wide. I use the drop deck panel in back a lot. The wheel vise is nice but won't fit a 180+ rear tire to put bike on table backwards. 

Which one you have? My wheel vise fits all tires

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Just now, twf said:

Which one you have? My wheel vise fits all tires

I have a 15 year old Western Mfg deck. The vise doesn't have enough spread in stock holes for wide tires, if I move one jaw over it won't pinch enough for smaller wheels, sigh. I have a plywood shimstack for a work around but...make the dern vise with enough throw for any wheel for Petes sake.

IMG_20191016_215540.thumb.jpg.7eb2f4b013d3eac52bf0e14def1ba4ef.jpg

IMG_20191016_215354.thumb.jpg.1ca0070e15e3d81ce04d5883e60e24af.jpg

Edited by mossrider
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Googling has found a coupon code for the Harbor Freight 1,000lb Motorcycle Lift that'll save you $100 and bring the current price down to $349. The code looks like it'll be good until sometime in Dec. Still looking for a coupon that will get the price down to USD $299

Code #: 43970807

Lift.thumb.JPG.25bb2a754fe2d9de0fb731aed123bcd3.JPG

 

 

DewMan
 
Just shut up and ride.

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