The Ultimate Buying Guide to Choosing a Motorcycle Lift Jack

If you are a bike enthusiast, a professional mechanic, or someone who regularly maintains your bike all by yourself, then you know how important a motorcycle lift jack is for your bike maintenance. A high-quality, reliable, and sturdy motorcycle jack is a necessary and the most essential tool required to smoothly and easily perform any bike repair or maintenance task. This includes oil changing, brake inspecting, wheel removal and maintenance, tire inspections, suspension adjustments, etc. Therefore, to carry out all these compulsory maintenance work, it is imperative to have the right motorcycle lift jack that will save you time, and effort, and ensure you get things done safely. However, with so many options available today, how do you choose the right one?
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive buying guide for motorcycle lift jacks. We will talk about why do you need one, what are the types of motorcycle jacks available, how you can choose one so that you can do your motorcycle maintenance with effortlessly and safely.

Table of Contents

• What is a Motorcycle Lift Jack?
• Why Do You Need a Motorcycle Lift Jack?
• Types of Motorcycle Lift Jacks
• How to Choose a Motorcycle Lift Jack: Key Factors to Consider?
• How to Safely Use a Motorcycle Lift Jack?
• Maintenance Tips for Motorcycle Lift Jacks

What is a Motorcycle Lift Jack?

A motorcycle lift jack is basically a tool or a device that is specifically made to lift motorcycles off the ground. This ensures that you can easily access all the parts and systems of the bike underneath and carry out your maintenance tasks with ease and safety. These motorcycle lift jacks are designed to be suitable for various types of vehicles. Some are heavy and large and are usually ideal for heavier motorcycles, while some are designed to be compact and portable and are suitable for smaller and lighter motorcycles.

Why Do You Need a Motorcycle Lift Jack?

Before we get into further details of a motorcycle lift jack and how do you choose the right one, let’s understand why do you need it.
A motorcycle lift jack, as you know by now, is a tool with which your bike can be lifted off the ground to a certain height to provide you with the much-needed stability, and accessibility of different parts and systems, particularly, the under section of your motorcycle. If you do not use a motorcycle jack to perform your bike maintenance task, then you run the risk of getting injured, doing things in awkward positions, which again is not ideal, and your bike could also get damaged. Hence, a motorcycle lift jack is absolutely needed if you are doing maintenance tasks such as:

• Tire inspection or replacement
• Oil changes
• Brake repair and maintenance
• Inspection and repair of exhaust systems
• Suspension adjustments
• Complete cleaning, etc.

Types of Motorcycle Lift Jacks

Motorcycle lift jacks are of various types and it’s important you understand the different kinds before you decide to choose one for your needs. Here are the most commonly used motorcycle lift jacks.

Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift Jacks

The most popularly used motorcycle lift jack is the hydraulic lift jack. This motorcycle jack is powered by a hydraulic system that ensures your bike is lifted up easily with minimal effort and in a very smooth and controlled manner. This hydraulic motorcycle lift jack is basically operated with the help of foot pedals or handles. Moreover, though large and heavy, this lift jack is quite easy to use and is very versatile. Besides, it’s ideal for anyone, DIY mechanics and professionals alike.

Scissor Motorcycle Lift Jacks

Unlike a hydraulic motorcycle lift jack that is heavier and larger, a scissor motorcycle lift jack is generally small, lightweight, and portable. This motorcycle jack uses a screw mechanism to lift bikes off the ground. Besides, it typically requires a lot more effort as the lifting is manually controlled with the help of mostly a power tool. However, because it is compact and portable, these motorcycle lift jacks are apt for smaller bikes and perfect for home garages.

Pneumatic Motorcycle Lift Jacks

More popularly used in a professional setting, pneumatic motorcycle lift jacks basically use compressed air to lift bikes off the ground smoothly, quickly, and safely. Besides, these pneumatic motorcycle lift jacks are typically designed to handle and lift much larger and heavier motorcycles off the ground, thereby, saving you a lot of time and effort.

Electric Motorcycle Lift Jacks

If you are looking for effortless and hands-off lifting for your motorcycles, then the electric motorcycle lift jack is your go-to. Powered by electricity or an electric motor, this motorcycle lift jack needs no manual effort at all and is absolutely ideal for frequent usage. Besides, since this motorcycle jack is quite user-friendly, it is ideal for home garages as well as in a professional repair shop.

How to Choose a Motorcycle Lift Jack: Key Factors to Consider?

Choosing the most ideal motorcycle lift jack for your bike repair and maintenance purposes depends on various factors. Therefore, before you decide to choose one for your home and professional needs, take into consideration the factors mentioned below.

Weight Capacity:

Before you decide on a particular motorcycle lift jack, the very first thing that you should consider is the weight capacity of the jack. You need to check whether the motorcycle jack will be able to handle and support the weight of your bike so that it can lift it off the ground safely. Most motorcycle lift jacks come in a 500 lbs to 1500 lbs range. There are also some that come in a much higher weight capacity range for much heavier motorcycles such as cruisers. Therefore, always check to see that the motorcycle lift jack you decide to purchase has the capacity to lift the weight of your motorcycle. In fact, it’s better to ensure that the motorcycle jack has a capacity to lift much above the weight of your motorcycle for safety reasons. 

Lift Height Range:

Lift height range is basically how high the motorcycle lift jack can raise your bike off the ground. Now, some bike maintenance and repair tasks such as tire changes or suspension adjustments do require a lot more lifting than tasks such as brake inspection or oil changing. Hence, it is better to look for motorcycle lift jacks with height adjustment features so that all the maintenance work can be done with ease as per height requirements. 

Build Quality and Material:

Consider a high-quality motorcycle jack because a lift jack with good build quality is reliable, durable, and safe to use. Most of the lift jacks are made of high-quality steel or aluminum. Steel motorcycle lift jacks are quite, sturdy, durable and heavy while aluminum motorcycle lift jacks are not as durable as steel but they are lightweight and much easier to carry around. Now, if you are someone who frequently deals with heavy bikes or frequently needs to use a lift jack, then a steel motorcycle lift jack is ideal for you, but if you need something lightweight, portable, and for occasional usage, then an aluminum motorcycle lift jack would be an ideal option. 

Portability and Storage:

If space is a challenge for you, then choosing a motorcycle lift jack that you can easily store in a limited space and one that you can move around easily is more practical than something that is heavier and bulkier. In such situations a scissor motorcycle lift jack is apt as it is compact and portable, unlike pneumatic or hydraulic motorcycle lift jacks that are bigger and heavier. 

Stability and Safety Features: 

One of the most essential things to consider is stability and safety features of motorcycle lift jacks. Always look for a high-quality lift jack that has features such as non-slip surfaces, safety locks, wide base, stabilizing features, etc. to avoid any uncalled for incident. 

Ease of Use:

If a motorcycle lift jack is complicated to use, then it is going to take up all your time and effort. Therefore, if you are someone who wants to put in minimal effort in the lifting process and need something more user-friendly, then consider getting a hydraulic or an electric motorcycle jack as they are very easy to use, especially if you are someone who does maintenance work frequently or are new to the process. Scissor motorcycle lift jacks, on the other hand, are simple to use but they require more manual work. Having said that, always consider a motorcycle lift jack that suits your needs.

How to Safely Use a Motorcycle Lift Jack?

Now that you know what factors to consider when getting the right motorcycle lift jack for your needs, it’s important that you know how to safely use it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using a motorcycle lift jack for your bike maintenance and repair work.

• Always check the weight capacity of the lift jack and only if it is capable of lifting the weight of the bike you need to check, then use it for your repair and maintenance work.
• The motorcycle lift jack has to be positioned correctly for a balanced lifting. Hence, ensure that the lift jack is directly positioned underneath, in the center of your bike’s structure.
• Always ensure that the bike is raised off the ground slowly and gradually so that it remains stable.
• Make sure to use safety locks once the motorcycle is lifted off the ground to the height you desire so that any sudden lowering of the jack can be prevented.  
• Use safety straps for the motorcycle so that it’s stable while you do all your repairs and maintenance. Also, only once your lift jack is stable and secure, then start your work on the bike.
• When lowering the motorcycle jack, make sure it’s done slowly and carefully.

Maintenance Tips for Motorcycle Lift Jacks 

• Clean your motorcycle lift jack regularly.
• Wipe and wash off all dirt and debris after every use.
• For hydraulic lift jacks, check fuel levels and for electric and pneumatic lift jacks, check to see if the all the parts are functioning well.
• Store the motorcycle lift jack in a clean and dry place after use.  

 In conclusion, a motorcycle lift jack is an essential tool for anyone that needs to regularly or even occasionally maintain and repair a bike. Besides, all the maintenance work needs to be done carefully, safely, and correctly, therefore, it is critical to choose the right motorcycle lift jack.

So, whether you are a professional mechanic or someone who does all your bike repair and maintenance by yourself, take into consideration factors such as weight capacity, lift height range, build quality, material, portability, storage, stability, and ease of use before you choose one for your needs. Moreover, remember safety is of utmost importance when doing such tasks, therefore, do not compromise on quality and make sure that the lifts & hoists & jacks
you choose is durable, reliable, and has all the necessary safety features. Also, always make sure that you use the motorcycle lift jack correctly and safely to avoid any accidents.