Motorcycle Table Lift. How much do you use it?

[JimVonBaden]

I was recently asked if a motorcycle table lift was worth the cost?

"It takes up space, you won't use it for you bike much, you don't need it to change tires, etc." Why bother?

Well, I said:

I use mine extensively. I use it for lifting my bikes for repairs and detailing:

I use it for filming my videos:

I use it for a work bench to get the work to the proper height:

And as a welding table:

I use it for storage:

I use it to change tires:

Definitely worth the $250 I paid for it 7 years ago!

Jim

 

[Danver]

I bought two of the HF ones primarily to work on my vintage snowmobiles and so far they have worked great and held up well. I'm sure I would also find many other uses for them except I don't think there has been a time since I have had them that there hasn't been a sled on them.

 

[macattak]

I have a couple of old Jap bikes that I keep up and I use mine all the time. It has to be one of the best tools I've ever owned.

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

I keep Eyeing them over, i use a Handy Air lift at work for the H-D's but a harbor frieght special would probably work just fine for home.

 

[ihateimacs]

I saw HF has them on sale for $299 and with the 25% off coupon brings it down to $225. Such a good deal.

 

[wood02]

Yes, for me...well worth the investment. Just about like any other tool, you only need them when you need them. Youth is invincible. I found crawling around the floor very difficult. I hurt every time I got up and every time I got down. Sure makes life (for me) a lot less painful. http://www.completehydraulic.com/lifts-motorcycle-tcmlw.html

 

[Jagmandave]

My neighbor has one with the extra sides on it, so he can use it to work on his riding mower too. He parks his bike on it so no wasted space...

He uses his constantly, just like the OP.

 

[HAY YOU]

I've got 3 Handy lifts, 2 air, 1 electric. They’re constantly in use, it sure beats bending over.

 

[ridervfr]

Once I got found a deal on my Handy Motorcycle Lift off of Craigslist, I knew I arrived at "tool nirvana." There is always a bike parked on it, and when I do a service on a two wheeled vehicle, its a pleasure. Would I trade it for something else? NOPE...

 

[prowler777]

right now i only have a 1 car garage and no room to have one.we are looking for a house and after that i will get one.like some of you others,it hurts getting up and down and i'm not getting any younger.....

 

[bochnak]

I bought a handy 1000 air a year ago for $425 with ramp extender for low bikes & a dolly to move it around. I had to rebuild the foot valve & lift cylinder, other than that I use it every night.

The dolly is nice since I can move it out of the way and still park a car in there. Or I can drive my wifes MDX right over the lift with 1/2" clearance.

I like that tire changer. Care to share more info on it?

 

[APEowner]

I too use mine all the time. In addition to all the uses the open listed I often use it for loading and unloading heavy things in and out of the truck. I just roll the table over and slide stuff on and off.

 

[avc8130]

Was that person ME over on ADVRider? Haha.

I think you guys have me sold.

I'm going to work out a table to adapt my car lift to a motorcycle lift.

ac

 

[GRN96WS6]

I'd like one but my garage isn't large enough for one right now as I don't want a car sitting outside to store it. I also am just fine working on mine on front and rear stands and sitting on a stool.

 

[APEowner]

I'd like one but my garage isn't large enough for one right now as I don't want a car sitting outside to store it. I also am just fine working on mine on front and rear stands and sitting on a stool.

depending on the car and the table you may be able to just lower the table and park above it. That's what I did in my old shop whenever I parked my convertible in it.

 

[JimVonBaden]

right now i only have a 1 car garage and no room to have one.we are looking for a house and after that i will get one.like some of you others,it hurts getting up and down and i'm not getting any younger.....

I had mine in a one car for 4 years. I would lean it up against the wall if I needed a car in the garage.

Jim

 

[bullfrog123]

As with the OP.... Mine has become the best $750.00 I EVER spent!!!! Gets used for soooooo much more than what its intended us is. Back a pickup up to it, slide your heavy cargo onto it, lower it to the floor without busting your back.
Workbench, welding table, assembly table, paint table, general catch all, etc etc etc.

 

[thejunkmanadv]

Use mine all the time! Had mine for about 10 years now. It can be seen in nearly all of my videos at The Junk Man's Adventures videos





I use it in my videos all the time.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

I have been eyeing the one at Harbor Freight also. I would like to know if anyone has modified thers with extensions to make it wider for working on riding lawn mowers?

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

The HF coupons specifically exclude lifts including these, so no go on the discount unless you can sweet talk the cashier into it.

 

[bullfrog123]

..... [/URL[URL=http://s1238.photobucket.com/user/Idafrog/media/IMG_0235_zps54452378.jpg.html]

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have been eyeing the one at Harbor Freight also. I would like to know if anyone has modified thers with extensions to make it wider for working on riding lawn mowers?

They used to sell them, but I don't see them on the web site anymore.

By the way, the coupon for 20% off is good for lifts, just not floor jacks.

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...dium=email&utm_campaign=3413a&utm_source=1010

Jim

 

[fitz11]

I too use mine all the time. In addition to all the uses the open listed I often use it for loading and unloading heavy things in and out of the truck. I just roll the table over and slide stuff on and off.

+1! I think I have used mine more for loading and unloading stuff than I have for working on bikes.

 

[Mandres]

For what it's worth I have this one and it's been incredibly useful too. I have my generator up on it right now working on the engine. It also makes a good stand for my miter saw. Think I paid ~$130.00 with the 25% off coupon.

 

[GRN96WS6]

depending on the car and the table you may be able to just lower the table and park above it. That's what I did in my old shop whenever I parked my convertible in it.

It might fit under my truck but not the car as it isn't that high. Since I have the stands though I haven't looked into it much as I haven't needed one just yet.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I use my lifts constantly, I don't know what I would do with out them in my garage.

 

[STANIMAL]

Everyday.

 

[Falcon67]

>For what it's worth I have this one and it's been incredibly useful too.
Looks like 99887 - I've been eyeballing that one for using with the 4 wheelers. But I'm also trying to sell the MaxJax to the Finance Committee for that use too.

 

[HTGTS350]

Mine is in permanent use, with a small collection of bikes there is always one that needs something done to it even if it is only cleaning, which has become so much more pleasure able since I've had the lift, I wish id bought it years ago.

 

[911mike]

With owning 13 bikes I could use 2 lifts. There's ALWAYS something to fix. The best part of owning a lift is the work bench surface. Before I would work on the ground and would lay tools and parts on the floor. One little kick and parts where everywhere. Now everything is up much safe.

With the side extension I use it for snowmobiles which is even better than using it for bikes.

 

[toolman1967]

I had a HF lift and scrapped it for a FORWARD lift from NAPA. HUGE difference. I use it all the time and it came with the side extensions for a 4 wheeler or lawn mower. If you and going to push and pull on it, buy the better lift. I sure gives me a lot of piece of mind.

Tim the Toolman

 

[jay in va]

Mine is a K & L lift table with the side extensions, which allows plenty of room to collect "honey do" projects if there is no bike on it. It has been used more as a workbench than a bike lift. But it has also served as a serving table, picnic table, and a bar when we clear out some room in the garage for parties. Just add a tablecloth.

Jay

 

[Ray916MN]

Was refurbing a ZX7R M2. Bike was on a lift for about 4 months.

One lift for the bike, the other for laying out parts and tools during final assembly.

Still a little work to do to finish it up, so it remains on the lift, while the other lift gets used for a closer look at a recent acquisition.

During race watching parties they get used as coffee tables, sometimes they get used as island work tables and sometimes for packing or unpacking large parts boxes. Were it not for the steady use they get one of them would sit under one of my workbenches in the space I made to store a lift table, but so far the space has never been used.

 

[bullfrog123]

I had a HF lift and scrapped it for a FORWARD lift from NAPA. HUGE difference. I use it all the time and it came with the side extensions for a 4 wheeler or lawn mower. If you and going to push and pull on it, buy the better lift. I sure gives me a lot of piece of mind.

Tim the Toolman

Exactly why I went with the heavier Direct Lift. This thing is HEAVY!!!!! One other big seller for me was the diamond plate top. Tools, parts, etc don't roll off the table and it also gives traction when loading up the wheeler or mowers. http://www.directlift.com/ProCycle-XLT-P58C15.aspx

 

[APEowner]

One other big seller for me was the diamond plate top.

Not having parts and tools roll around does sound nice but for my uses I prefer a flat top. Mine is bare steel. I can tack stuff to it when I'm using it as a welding bench. If I spill paint on it I just sand it off. Right now it's got epoxy resin all over it from a carbon fiber dash I'm building for the race car and I'll just hit with a grinder when I'm done.

 

[JimVonBaden]

If you look at my HF lift you will see it is diamond plate. When I use it for a table I add a 2X4 sheet of steel on it. The edges are bent up 1/2" so nothing rolls off of it.

I have worked on Handy, and other lifts, and they are nice at 3-4 times the sale price of the HF!

However, the point of this thread was not to promote one manufacturer over another, but to see how many different ways these lifts are used.

Ready for a tech day.

Jim

 

[Tricon]

I just bought a HF one today! The computer wouldnt let me use the 20% coupon :/ but still stoked for $299! Can't wait to start using it this weekend.

 

[JimVonBaden]

You will be happy with it. I just painted mine yesterday in anticipation of shooting a video this weekend.

Before:

After:

Held up great for 7 years, but was due.

Jim

 

[Slickster76]

I have the HF lift. I use it all the time. I use it as an adjustable workbench. When first considering the purchase, I was weary of buying something that would take up so much space. Now I'm very happy with it. It's one of my best purchases for the garage.

 

[sunsation288]

I use mine alot ( 5 mx bike ) , and some time i use it for welding table...it's by far a nice addition to my garage