Motorcycle jack

[onemoretry]

I am in need of a quality motorcycle jack... I have done a search and have come up with more questions than answers.
So, I have:
2009 Yamaha Grizzly quad with really high clearance.
2004 Victory Kingpin moderate clearance
1965 Pan Electra Glide
1973 Honda CB350 Four

I will eventually get a lift, but that is not what I am interested in now, so please help me with jacks only.
I would prefer American made, the ability to lift the quad and bikes, and quality. Cost is not a primary driver, though, in the end it is always important.

I have done some research and narrowed it down to the:

Sears pro
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950191000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
But have heard that it drops down too fast but may have adapter blocks to allow me to lift the quad without hillbilly engineering.

OTC Stinger
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-1545/
But am concerned about lift height and limited reviews on the specific model (though the company seems to be reviewed well. I also can't tell if it is American made, which would really be a plus. If it had rails to allow me to lift the quad, this would be it for me.)

Napa
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=NLE5206010_0006515188
I don't know much about this jack specifically, but have heard generally good things about Napa for jacks generally.

Omega
http://standardus.com/stdshop/product.php?productid=4309&cat=413&page=1
I just don't know too much about this one.

And this expensive addition
http://www.klsupply.com/JACKSANDSTANDS/LIFTS/MC550MULTILIFT.aspx

 

[fotoflojoe]

I have the Sears pro, used it to lift my 1000lb Harley. I like it. It's occasionally discounted via CMan club.

Yes, the handle requires some finesse when lowering - it can be jerky. This can be really unnerving the first time you experience it, but over time, you get used to it. Yes, it comes with riser blocks for raising a bike/quad with an uneven under carriage.

Ironically, I've found it to be just as useful lifting other stuff too, such as fuel tanks, and transmissions. My bike is gone, but I still keep the jack around for this reason.

 

[daveroy]

Have you looked at Pitbull? A little more money, but solid as a rock and made in USA!
http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

 

[onemoretry]

Have you looked at Pitbull? A little more money, but solid as a rock and made in USA!
http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

That just made the top of the list. I had it stored under lifts rather than jacks and didn't realize it when I went back to the research. Thanks much.

 

[acer66]

Have you looked at Pitbull? A little more money, but solid as a rock and made in USA!
http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

I like their Dolly stand idea,
I have several of their bike stands and did not know that they make also lifts.

 

[aeroturbine]

I ride a Dyna Superglide and received the Sears "red" jack for Christmas last year. I have not had any problems with it as my bike sits nice and sturdy on it. I have heard that the J & S jack is extremely well made and worth every penny.

http://www.jsjacks.com/index.php/motorcycle-jack-stand-jas-jacks

 

[ddawg16]

I have the HF version.....works just fine.....

 

[onemoretry]

J&S looks pretty darn good too.
I think there are two pittbull companies though I am not sure. One makes lifts, the other stands.

 

[scottzilla]

The HF ATV lift is basically the same design as what you link to for much less money.

 

[Auzivision]

I have the Sears pro... now I just need the motocycle. Bought to lower/raise a transmission on a car on jack stack. Nice 'low profile' design!

 

[gunner3773]

I have had many motorcycles on lifts. I watched my 95 1500 Vulcan fall off of one of the cheapies and swore that would not happen again. I bought an expensive Dunwell and have not looked back since. Dunwell is out of business, but if I were buying one today, it would be a Pitbull. There is a night and day difference between the HF and Craftsman style and something like a Pitbull or a Dunwell. There was no way I was going to put my new (at the time) Valkyrie Tourer (11.4k) on one of the cheapies. I guess it is a matter of your comfort level.

It is similar to someone purchasing a 35K vehicle, and then using a $2.00 oil filter and the cheapest oil they can find to "protect" their investment. I have nnever understood the logic. I am not saying expensive makes it good, but there is a huge quality difference in those mcy lifts...do your homework.

 

[gmhill33]

I am in need of a quality motorcycle jack...

I have had the yellow one from Harbor Freight for going on three years (March will be three years) and that has to be the best money I have ever spent on my bike. Here is a pic of my bike on the jack. I hope this info helps you out.

Gary

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I pull my bike around on the jack and I don't tie it down.

 

[Bulldog13]

I;ve got both the Sears stand and a set of pitbulls for my Sportbike...the Sears stand is good for my Harley and my Cruiser.The sportbike needs the front and rear stands due the exhaust set up.It was hard to place the Sears stand under the Ninja because of the lack of frame support.Both work well....

 

[pacmktg]

I have the Sears one you list for my Kingpin and it is rock solid. If you are used to using a floor jack the handle shouldn't be an issue. Just turn it slow. I bought his one becuase it is low enough to get under the bike without first putting the scooter up on 2" x 6"'s.

Bob

 

[onemoretry]

I went with the pitbull. Let me know if anyone wants more info. It is great though pricey.

 

[Nitsuj]

Good call. They're price is high, but they're quality and support is second to now. I have 5 or 6 different Pitbulls. Excellent hardware.

But you may have trouble using it with the 350F, there isn't really any flat areas under the bike for that type of life to get a purchase on. May take some cribbing.

 

[onemoretry]

Good call. They're price is high, but they're quality and support is second to now. I have 5 or 6 different Pitbulls. Excellent hardware.

But you may have trouble using it with the 350F, there isn't really any flat areas under the bike for that type of life to get a purchase on. May take some cribbing.

Thanks for the heads up. I got the extra lift blocks too, and with a little eyeballing it seems to work ok for the honda. The Victory and 4wheeler work great.

Now 5 or 6 lifts, I thought I was bad having 3 bikes, let alone that many lifts. Must be fun (or for work).

 

[JasonTX]

The sears red/black model is the same as the harbor freight jack and they are legends for pump failure, and parts are not available. I have one and had to macgyver a bottle jack in as a fix.