Top 7 Best Motorcycle Lift Table For Harley (2020 Review)

Motorcycle Lift Table For Harley — Buying Guide

There is a wide variety of lift tables available to buy. Different products have different features and some may not be suitable for a Harley Davidson. As there are various types of motorcycles on the road there can also be the same various types of motorcycle lift jacks.

Depending on the type, quality, price, ease of control, compatibility, etc there are a few things to know about lift tables before buying one. Surely you don’t want to buy the wrong product and fail to use it for your Harley.

So for your ease of access, we made this simple buying guide. So that you can easily pre-plan the exact features you need before selecting a motorcycle lift jack for your Harley Davidson.

Types of Lifts for Harley

Depending on the mechanism of operation there are different types of lifts. All of them may not be compatible with a Harley. Here are some popular types to choose from that are available in the market.

Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are your fundamental type of lifting jack. You can find them in almost every car trunk. They are small in size and usually used on a car for changing the tire by lifting just a tire. But this type of small lift is not suitable to balance your Harley.

There is some larger variant of scissor jacks that has a built-in platform. That’s the type you need for your Harley. Usually, they are hand-operated and you can raise and lower the platform using a socket or wrench. Typically, they are your budget selection. Being a hand-operated tool they are strenuous for lifting larger weight. You can also find an electrically powered one which is better for larger weights.

Hydraulic Lifts

Hydraulic lifts are liquid pressured jacks that may come in hand-powered or electrically powered depending on your selection. The hydraulic power makes it easier to handle than a scissor or mechanical lift. They can also carry more weight.

Usually, these types of lifts are self-lubricated and smooth, and quiet to use unlike a scissor or mechanical lift. They also have a higher axle thus you will get a higher raising height.

Bottle Jacks

Bottle jacks are a variation of hydraulic jacks that are bottle-shaped. They are hand-pumped to raise the lift. Usually, they are heavy-duty equipment and can raise about 40-50 tons. This type of raising capacity is overkill for a motorcycle. Shorter bottle jacks are found that can be used instead of a hydraulic jack.

Mechanical Lifts

Mechanically geared transmission connected with a handle is used to lift these kinds of lift tables. Although they are cheaper than a hydraulic lift they produce squeaky sounds over time and have to be well lubricated.

Air Lift

They work as the same mechanism of a hydraulic lift just they use compressed air instead of a pressured liquid. Though they are high priced, they have smooth handling and quiet in raising or lowering the lifts.

You may also check out this Wikipedia link for in-depth information about the different mechanisms of jacks and lifts.

Main Characteristics of motorcycle lift table for Harley

Different lifts have different features depending on the price and brands. Even if you want to take a used motorcycle lifts from others you first have to consider if the lift is compatible with your Harley. Here are some properties you need to look out for.

Lifting Capacity

This maybe is the single most important thing to consider before buying a motorcycle lift. If your carrying capacity is less than your motorcycle weight, all the time and price in buying the product will be in vain.

Harley-Davidson’s company produces motorcycle mostly weighted between 540 to 904 pounds. So be sure to buy a lift with a carrying capacity of at least one and a half times more than your Harley Davidson. Some high-end motorcycle lift table has a carrying capacity of 1500 lbs. But anything more than 1000 pounds will be suitable for your Harley.

Lifting Height

The lifting height specification comes with minimum height and the maximum height. The minimum height is as important as the maximum lifting height. One of the main cause for using a lift table is not needing to bend over while servicing your Harley Davidson. But with shorter lifting weights the product fails the cause.

So the broader the lifting range the better. For taller people, it is always better to have a higher raising height so all the parts of the Harley are easily accessible.

Stability and Balance

As Harley is a two-wheel vehicle it will always need support to stand on its own. So double-check the lift table for motorcycle balancing mechanisms. Some products have a built-in tie-downs and some don’t. It is always better to buy the built-in balanced one.

Also, the lift table has to be sturdy and stable. You surely don’t want to cause an accident due to stability reasons. The platform has to be big enough so that your Harley can comfortably stand on it even on small vibrations. Some lift tables for trikes have a wider platform. You should also ensure that the lift table comes with a ramp to easily bring up your motorcycle onto the lift table.

Size, Weight, and Materials

The lift table should not be too heavy or too wide than required or it will be inconvenient to move around and work on your Harley. The lift table has to be made out of material that is both light and sturdy and can be folded. The well-known branded product harbor freight motorcycle lift table uses high-quality steel as the material.

Also, it is recommended to select a moveable lift table. Some lift tables include small wheels so that you can move the whole platform with your Harley still sitting on it.

Safety Mechanisms

Your safety is always the number one priority. While the motorcycle is on the raised platform, if the table is in an unstable position it is not safe to work on and should be avoided. So be sure to always check if the lift table has a suitable safety mechanism to hold the table properly. The locking mechanism will ensure that the table will not fall onto you while working on it.

We also recommend you to buy a lift table that has a rubber-coated platform. The rubber will prevent the bike from slipping from the platform.

Method of Lifting

Budget lift tables are usually hand-operated or leg pumped. For a hand-operated lift table, you will need a socket or wrench to rotate the handle and raise the lift. Leg pumped ones are usually common for hydraulic jacks.

You can also find an autonomous lift table at a higher price. You can raise and lower them just using a switch. As they are battery powered, if you are out of charge then you can not work with the lift table. So always keep this in mind! Hybrid lift tables that have both powered and hand-operated mechanisms are the best.

Using a Motorcycle Jack

Now that you have learned about the different features available for your Harley jacks you need to know how to properly use it.

First, you have to position the lift table on a stable and clear floor. Now if the table lift is in a fully lowered position then move your Harley on it. For smaller jacks position the jack under the center of gravity, usually under the engine on your bike. Be sure to turn on wheel locks and check the safety lock on your lift. Stabilize your Harley by using tie-downs. Double-check if they are holding your motorcycle properly.

Now that you have a stable bike on the lift, you can raise it. Lifts may come with hand rotated, leg pumped, or even an automatic one. Always double check if you are pinching any wires by the lift. You can also watch this short video on How to use a motorcycle jack on a Harley. Now raise the lift to your comfortable height and start servicing your Harley!

Other Important Points to Pay Attention to

We explained in detail about different features to know before buying a motorcycle lift table for your Harley. Some other essential smaller details you need to are the lubrication system, pricing, etc. You also don’t want the lift table to have a bulky size that takes most of your garage space. Be sure to check the Harley Davidson website about the weight, clearance, and any other technical specifications for your bike.