Last Updated on March 19, 2023
Do you want to avoid dangerous bends and turns when working on your motorcycle? If so, then you must need a motorcycle lift. If you are an avid motorcycle enthusiast, you know the importance of having a reliable lift for your bike.
With a motorcycle lift, you can easily and safely access all bike parts to complete DIY repairs or maintenance. Plus, it eliminates the need for risky bending and turning when working on a bike without one. Lifts like these make lifting your bike easier and more convenient while offering improved access and safety.
Today we will discuss why you require a motorcycle lift and how you can benefit from one. We will also cover what types are available for use and what to remember when lifting a motorcycle with lift. Keep reading to learn more about how a motorcycle lift works and its many benefits.
Why Do I Need a Motorcycle Lift: Reasons
Motorcycle lifts provide a safe, efficient, and convenient way to work on motorcycles, whether you’re a professional mechanic or an enthusiast at home. Here are some of the main reasons to use a motorcycle lift:
Improved Motorcycle Access
A motorcycle lift offers improved access to tight spaces under the bike that would otherwise be difficult to reach without it. The adjustable height allows you to raise your bike as high as necessary for easy access.
You can easily reach any point on the motorcycle with the right tools and accessories, such as extensions and adapters. This improved access also enhances visibility when carrying out repairs and maintenance tasks since it eliminates having to crouch or lean into awkward positions to see what you’re doing.
Increased Lifting Safety
Lifting heavy motorcycles (such as Harley Davidson bikes) off the ground poses risks of strain and injury due to their weight and size. Still, this danger is eliminated with a lift as all pressure is taken off your back and shoulders.
Also, motorcycle lifts come with safety locks that help keep your bike secure while keeping it lifted so that you can work without worrying about it shifting unexpectedly or falling off the lift altogether.
Lifting Convenience
Using a motorcycle lift makes working on motorcycles much easier and more convenient to its portability and quick storage once finished with use.
Most models are lightweight enough for even one person to move around easily from spot to spot, allowing you to take your repairs wherever you need them instead of moving large items such as trailers or cars from place to place if needed.
Working Versatility
The adjustable height feature of a motorcycle lift provides great versatility for whatever type of job needs completing. Whether it is an oil filter change or complex engine work, you can get the job done right without worrying about straining yourself or making additional trips due to improper equipment placement.
By adjusting the height quickly depending on what needs to be done, you can save time by eliminating unnecessary steps between tasks which increases overall productivity when working with motorcycles professionally or at home as an enthusiast.
Lifting Comfort
Using a motorcycle lift will drastically reduce the strain of manually lifting your motorcycle onto a ramp or jack stand. Motorcycle lifts use powered hydraulic jacks that provide complete control over the lifting process, allowing you to adjust the position exactly as needed for convenience and comfort during your work session.
This eliminates the risk of injury from mishandling a heavy bike and wastes time from having to move around constantly trying to find another way of positioning it up for you to properly access certain parts of the bike for repairs or maintenance purposes.
Lifting Efficiency
The efficiency of a lift cannot be understated. Traditional methods just cannot compete with how quickly and precisely they do the job. By providing plenty of space beneath them, enabling access from all sides.
Their stability allows you to focus on completing the task without worrying about anything else getting in the way or interfering with your workflow. This results in a significant reduction in turnaround times and an increase in productivity.
Garage Space-Saving
These lifts are also great when it comes to garage space conservation. Some models fold away easily into smaller sizes when unused, making them ideal for those with limited storage areas within their workshop or garage.
This allows them to save more room for other tools, equipment, material inventory, etc., that might occupy more space if not considered beforehand when planning these spaces for home use.
Professional Quality Maintain
Motorcycle lifts offer the highest quality level needed in professional motorcycle maintenance or repair. With their solid construction, these tools ensure reliable support while you work on your bike, so you don’t have to worry about them failing in the middle of the repair.
This includes durability in resisting corrosion and wear and tear due to heavy usage. Also, most modern motorcycle lifts come with adjustable height settings to suit different motorbike sizes, so they can work effectively on any model.
How Does a Motorcycle Lift Work to Raise a Motorcycle?
Whether you are lifting a motorcycle to perform maintenance or repairs, using a lift will make the job much easier. Knowing how to use a motorcycle lift properly will help you raise your bike safely and efficiently.
STEP 1. Position the Motorcycle Lift
Positioning your motorcycle with a lift is the first step in raising it. Motorcycle lifts come in different shapes and sizes, so be sure to select one that correctly fits the model of your motorcycle.
Once the correct size is selected, place the lift on a flat surface such as concrete or asphalt. Ensure all four feet of the lift are firmly planted before using it.
STEP 2. Place the Safety Stops
Another important step before using your lift is ensuring safety stops. These stops help prevent slippage when raising or lowering your bike. Ensure all four safety stops are placed securely and then double-check them before completing your task.
STEP 3. Balance the Motorcycle With One Hand
After setting up and checking for safety, balance your motorcycle with one hand while keeping it upright. This may feel awkward at first, but practice makes perfect.
If you have difficulty balancing it, consider adding counterweights for extra stability during lifting and lowering tasks. Remember not to add too much weight, which could cause instability or excessive load strain on the lift and operator muscle power.
STEP 4. Lift the Motorcycle
Now that your bike is balanced on one hand and secure safety stops have been put in place, it is time to lift. Depending on which kind of lifter you have (hydraulic, screw-driven, or manual), you can now begin lifting by pulling down on either side of the handlebars while simultaneously pushing upwards with your foot(s).
This should slowly raise your bike until it reaches its desired height, usually around 18 inches off ground level. At this point, you should stop lifting and check for potential balance issues before continuing operations (such as oil changing).
Again, remember not to overdo it here. Be cautious if there’s any doubt about how much pressure must be applied during lifting tasks.
STEP 5. Adjust the Balance
If, after following steps 1 through 4 above, everything looks good (i.e., no slippage), then proceed to make some fine adjustments for balance purposes only. Don’t worry about re-lifting during this stage, as you can make minor adjustments without causing any extra strain or danger to the user/bike/lift combination.
To do this, simply twist the handlebars back and forth in small increments until desired equilibrium is reached. After a bit of practice, it’s pretty simple.
STEP 6. Secure the Motorcycle
Once desired balance has been achieved, it’s time to secure everything into place by using appropriate locking mechanisms.
Doing so ensures that when performing maintenance or repair work, nothing slips out of place due to unforeseen movements/forces during operation. As always, ensure all locks are applied correctly & double-check again before beginning work.
What are the Benefits of Utilizing a Motorcycle Lift?
With a motorbike lift, you can keep your garage clean and organized and protect your investment while providing access to specialized equipment. Here are just a few of the benefits that come with utilizing a motorcycle lift.
- Keeps Your Garage Organized: Motorcycle lifts can help keep your garage clear of clutter by allowing you to store bikes upright off the ground. This makes accessing items on the floor easier and reduces the risk of accidentally damaging them when working on your bike.
- Protects Your Investment: Keeping your bike off the ground protects it from dirt and debris that could cause rust or other damage over time. Also, a motorcycle lift lets you easily inspect your ride from every angle, catching potential problems before they become serious.
- More Safe Routine Maintenance: A bike lift allows for easier access when performing routine maintenance, such as changing oil or brake fluid. This makes these tasks easier and safer because the bike is securely placed while you work on it.
- Makes Hoisting Heavy Bikes Easier: Many bikes are too large or heavy to hoist up safely without assistance. Utilizing a motorcycle lift makes this process much easier, allowing heavier bikes to be lifted with minimal effort and giving more control than if done manually.
- Provides Access to Specialized Equipment: Many specialized accessories on motorcycle lifts make it easier and faster to work on motorcycles, such as rotating platforms and adjustable arms that improve visibility and accuracy during repairs or modifications that require intricate detailing.
- Provides You with More Convenience: Motorcycle lifts allow riders to perform routine maintenance or repairs without having to remove their bikes from the garage entirely or move them around too much on those occasions when it is necessary for the task at hand.
What Types of Motorcycle Lifts are Available for Lifting?
Several motorcycle lifts are in the market, each with unique features and benefits. Here are the more common options:
Electric Hydraulic Lift
Electric hydraulic lifts are powered by electricity and use hydraulics to lift motorcycles into the air. This lift type is great for those who need to raise or quickly lower their motorbike with minimal effort.
They also come in various sizes, allowing you to choose one that fits your needs. Electric hydraulic lifts typically feature two pistons that move up and down both sides of the lifting platform to raise or lower the bike.
The lifting platform can be adjusted to different heights, making it easy to access hard-to-reach spots on the bike while working on it. Also, some electric hydraulic lifts have additional features such as brakes or locking mechanisms for added safety when using the lift.
Air Hydraulic Lift
Air hydraulic jack lifts use compressed air power instead of electricity to provide a powerful lifting force for raising or lowering motorcycles into position. This lift type is excellent for people who need extra room when working on their bikes since they can be raised higher than electric hydraulic models.
They also require little maintenance compared to other motorcycle lifts since they do not have any moving parts that can break down over time due to wear and tear. Air lift models typically feature adjustable settings for various height increments so you can easily access different areas on your bike while working on it.
Screw-Driven Scissor Lifts
Screw-driven scissor lifts are designed with two large steel plates linked together by four crossbars connected by bolts and screws. This creates a scissoring motion that enables you to raise conveniently and lower motorcycles into position without using any external power source.
This type of lift is great for those who don’t have access to an electrical outlet or prefer more manual operations when doing maintenance on their bike. Since no complex mechanics are involved in the operation, it is easy enough, even for beginners.
Typically, scissor lifts come with adjustable heights, so you can work on your bike safely without worrying about putting too much pressure on certain parts or components that might get damaged if not handled properly.
Things to Consider When Lifting a Motorcycle With a Lift
Some important safety considerations must be remembered when raising your motorcycle with a jack.
Safety Stops for Your Motorcycle Jack
Installing safety stops before lifting your motorcycle with a jack is essential. These stops are designed to prevent the motorcycle from sliding off the lift, which could result in serious injury or damage to your vehicle.
When positioning these stops, make sure they are secure and in the correct position so that they can effectively keep your bike in place while it is being lifted. To ensure their effectiveness, test them out before beginning the process of lifting your bike.
Holding the Motorcycle While Operating the Jack
When operating the jack, it is always important to control your bike. Stand on the side of the motorcycle opposite where you’re operating the jack and use one hand to hold onto your bike while using the other to operate the lift.
Ensure that you keep yourself and any body parts away from any moving parts of either device, as an accident could cause serious injury or damage to you and/or your vehicle.
Finding the Balance Point of Your Bike on the Motorcycle Jack
To successfully lift and lower your motorcycle without causing any damage, you must first find its balance point on top of the bike lift pad. Start by slowly raising your vehicle until you get it high enough for both wheels (and tires) to not touch the ground anymore.
Then adjust its position until both handlebars feel steady when released or pushed slightly back or forward by hand. This is its balance point! Once found, keep adjusting its height until the desired height has been reached while maintaining this balance point throughout the process.
Moving the Motorcycle While on the Jack
Once you have adjusted it correctly into its balance point and reached the desired height, lower the motorbike back down safely onto the ground again. But if there’s a need for a moving motorbike still attached to the jack, remove safety stops previously set in place before starting any moving process.
Remember, most jacks don’t feature locking mechanisms like the ones found on lifts meant for several different vehicles. Before pushing off the jack pad, check twice that neither wheel (or tire) has accidentally gotten stuck underneath the pad.
Maintain Your Motorcycle: Maximize Safety and Efficiency with a Motorcycle Lift
Having a motorcycle lift is essential for any motorcyclist who wants the best safety and convenience when servicing their bike. Not only does it improve access, but it also increases lifting comfort and offers extensive versatility when working on different types of bikes.
By eliminating the risk of rolling off jacks or placing something underneath your bike as support, this lift makes it easier to repair or adjust your bike. This is because you’re more mobile and visible from different angles, which aren’t easily accessible otherwise.
Whether you’re a skilled technician or an amateur enthusiast looking to get the job done right, investing in an excellent quality motorcycle lift is always worth considering.
