What's your opinion on "lift" stands

MattR

MattR

Super Moderator
Up to now, I have been using my perfect 17" height and low-priced plastic Rubbermaid 2-step stool that I bought at Lowe's for about $10 (See Below). I see all of these ads for "lift" stands costing anywhere from $50 to $100. Some are overpriced (ok most), while others are scary to be called a lift stand. I have held off buying one these because it is hard to justify the expense. However, lifting the bike up easily is very appealing for maintenance items.

Some examples that I have been looking at:
Motorsports P12 lift stand
FMF lift stand
MSR Pro-lift stand
Excel Moto-X Lift stand
Ocelot Pro lift II stand (from Chapparal)
Tusk lift stand (from RockyMountain)
Sears ATV/bike lift (heavy but ok for garage use)

Do you use a lift stand and what brand?
What are the pros/cons?
Any homemade ideas not requiring welding? It would have to be wood or metal bolted together.


Here is a pic of my Rubbermaid stand:
image0002.jpg



EDIT:
My plastic stand is made by Costco (not Rubbermaid). The height is 17" with a top surface of 12"x10" (12" is side-to-side width). Also, I riveted a small section of rubber mat to the top surface to keep my bike from slipping. They claim a max load limit of 250 lbs.

Here is a link to Lowe's. This is a newer version sold by them, but it is very similar.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=44793-287-202-12&lpage=none

bike_stand.jpg
 
Last edited:
I like your stand. The first time I saw that photo I thought I might get one too.
 
I use a fixed stand, somewhat like Matt's, for minor work. For bigger jobs I have one of the Sears atv/motorcycle lift stands. The Sears unit is quite solidly built and has two feet that can be screwed down to make contact with the floor - it is very stable. When not in use it fits under the bike.
 
Dave,

For bigger jobs I have one of the Sears atv/motorcycle lift
Click to expand...

Do you have any pictures of it? I would really like more information on this stand.

Thank you,
Ron
 
RBD said:
Do you have any pictures of it? I would really like more information on this stand.

Thank you,
Ron
Click to expand...

Ron,

I think Dave is referring to this Sears ATV/Bike lift. This is one that I was also considering. It is a nice lift for $70 but the weight makes it for home use only (approx. 100 lbs).

Here is a link to Sears:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...AUTO&subcat=Lift+Equipment&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

It is Sears item #00950190000 Mfr. model #34612 (in case link does not work)
sears_bikestand.jpg
 
For the GasGas I use a very old stand I've had since the '80s. It has a wide base and is very sturdy. Its also open in the center so its great for oil changes, you can fit a bucket underneath. When I got the VRod, I needed a lift(no picking that thing up by hand) so I bought the Sears lift. I got the aluminum frame one, not the steel one pictured above. Its low enough to slip under the VRod and with the pad extentions, works fine on the GG. Not quite as solid as a fixed stand though, as there is some flex in the system when extended. Its fine for oil changes on the VRod, but anything more where your torquing on the bike I'll strap it down. If I'm going to do any serious work on the GG like wheels or fork work, I'll use the fixed stand. I also store the bike on the fixed stand. The aluminum Sears lift is nice because its compact and stores under my workbench, important when you have 4 bikes, 2 workbenches and other stuff in a single garage.
 
lift stands

i use the sears atv/mc stand. my bikes are 4t's and heavier so now i don't have to worry about getting a hernia. plus i can roll it out side to work on my bikes if it's nice out. it also has tiedown anchors to stabilize your bike if u really need to reaf on it. it surprisingly doesn't take up much room either. it'll kinda slide under/over stuff and out of the way.
 
I have a couple of neat wooden stands that my father made for me back in the early 80's. They remind me of something from the GP circuit back in 1980 or '81 - propping up a works Maico or something. I think they have a retro cool look, especially with the patina of age and use.

Another simple stand I use is one made from simple square tubing. It is a metal square that sits under the bike's frame near the footpegs with a tube welded perpendicular to that square frame. The end of that long tube has a short leg perpendicular to that that sits on the ground near the rear axle of the bike. You simply rock the stand back with the long tube and it levers the bike up and back. Great for keeping bikes vertical to take up less space in the shop, and for some quick maintenance, it works fine.

I'll try to snap some pictures.

Jerry
 
Hawkeye said:
I have a couple of neat wooden stands that my father made ... I think they have a retro cool look, especially with the patina of age and use.

Another simple stand I use is one made from simple square tubing...You simply rock the stand back with the long tube and it levers the bike up and back.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in seeing pics if you get the chance. The "retro" wood stands sound cool. I have been thinking of something similar to the square tube stand you mentioned. It was going to be made from 2x4's or threaded pipe with some elbows/T-sections. Same idea though... to make a simple jack stand that using a lever arm.
 
Here is my homemade lift stand. It is welded, but you could do it with threaded fittings. Personally, I would rather spend $200 on a little 110V MIG welder than half of that for a stand. I'm surprised at how easy it is to do basic welds with the machines out there now. I have a Miller, but you can pick up Hobarts at many farm supply stores around here and both are made by the same manufacturer.

Anywho, this was the first quick and dirty one I made, my second version was all square tubing and much neater.
 

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Check out mxhandstand.com The stand is pretty deluxe. Easy to lift, won't slide off, is adjustable for uneven surface, and us collapseable to carry flat.
 
do not waste ur money one cheap stands. i bought a 30$ harbor freight stand. biggest piece of junk ever. the lift arm bends when u step down on it (its one of those step down, lift up stands)
 
lift tables

This might be a little more than most people need or want, but a hydraulic lift table from Northern Tool would lift just about any dirt bike. The smaller ones have a 500# capacity, only bad thing is the collapsed height is 11"-12".
Fully raised , the table is about 28".
 
I Have been using the FMF step stands for a while now...they are quick and easy on the back...and they dont cost an arm and a leg

downside is there is no hole to drain oil...and they can be a bit iffy on a soft dirt surface....a small piece of plywood helps on a mucky day

I would buy another one :)

2011EC250002.jpg
 
dank said:
do not waste ur money one cheap stands. i bought a 30$ harbor freight stand. biggest piece of junk ever. the lift arm bends when u step down on it (its one of those step down, lift up stands)
Click to expand...

Harbor Freight is a turd pipe from China
 
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