Lifts & Jacks
About Lifts & Jacks
A motorcycle lift is a platform or jack that raises the whole bike off the ground, usually from under the frame, so you can reach both wheels and the underside. Riders use one for wheel and tire changes, brake work, oil changes and cleaning, and for keeping both tires off the floor during storage.
Rating and lifting style are the main choices. The samples include steel stand-lifts, air lifts, a center jack, a vintage mini stand-lift, a shop dolly for moving a bike around the shop, and air lifts made for trikes and the Can-Am Spyder. Choose a rating above the weight of the bike with its fluids and gear, and check that the platform fits under your frame and clears the exhaust. A bike with a wide, low or unusual underside may need an adapter or a different style. Use any lift on a hard, level floor, strap the bike to it and never exceed the rated capacity.
Brands in this category include MOOSE OFFROAD, K&L SUPPLY, HANDY INDUSTRIES and MOTORSPORT PRODUCTS. For holding up one end of the bike, see Paddock Stands, and for rollers and other supports see Wheel Rollers and Other Lifts & Stands. The whole group is Lifts & Stands.
FAQs on motorcycle lifts and jacks
How do I choose a motorcycle lift?
Start with the weight rating, which should be above the weight of your bike with its fluids and accessories. Then check that the platform fits under your frame, how high it lifts and whether your bike needs an adapter. Heavy touring bikes, small dirt bikes and three-wheelers need different lifts.
Can I use a motorcycle lift on a trike or Can-Am Spyder?
Only a lift made for three-wheeled machines. The listings in this category include air lifts designed for trikes and the Can-Am Spyder. A standard two-wheel lift is not made for their width or weight distribution, so read the description for the machines a lift suits.
What should I do before lifting my bike?
Place the lift on a level, hard floor and center the bike on the platform as the maker's instructions say. Strap the bike down and raise it slowly, checking its balance as the wheels leave the ground. Keep your body clear of the bike while it moves.
Can a lift be used for long-term storage?
A lift can take the weight off the tires, which helps avoid flat spots, but only if the lift is made for it. Some are intended for service work only. Check the maker's instructions, keep the lift on a flat floor and make sure the bike is stable and strapped.
What is the difference between a shop dolly and a lift?
A shop dolly is for moving a bike around a workshop, while a lift raises it off the ground for work. Both appear in this category. Read the listing to see which one you are buying, and check its weight rating against your bike.
