Sad to say but I'm approaching that age where I seem to have developed some back conditions. Nothing that can't be fixed apparently, but to ensure longevity in my back, I had been advised not to do too much work in a hunched position.
Obviously this impacts how I work on my bike, so I'm thinking of investing in one of those hydraulic lifts. Has anyone got any recommendations?
Think they look good idea if you have a garage... Some good ones on fleabay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LARGE-HYDRAULIC-MOTORBIKE-LIFT-RAMP-LARGE-BIKE-LIFT-/170619616537?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27b9b8bd19#ht_3692wt_849
If I was to buy one it would have to be new.. Dont fancy getting a second hand one, hoping it dont collapse and the bike fall on me.. At least with a new one you have a guarantee if anything should happen..
Better to be safe than sorry :grin:
Used these guys before - excellent service
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-HYDRAULIC-MOTORCYCLE-DIRT-BIKE-JACK-SERVICE-SHOP-LIFT-BIKE-RAMP-STAND-450-/271007109674?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f1948522a#ht_2186wt_1397
That one looks quite good. I don't have a garage yet, but will have one hopefully in a month or so time. Only problem is the missus thinks she'll be parking her car there, whilst I have it earmarked for the bike
I will buy new, and I want one that is going to be stable for big bikes. I can see myself doing quite a bit of work. The one Winston just posted looks good.
As I say - excellent delivery and service.
Re the garage, never put her car in it as it will sweat and rot. Best place for a car is outside, well polished, so rain runs off it and let the wind dry the underside/inside bodywork - in a garage it will allow the water/salt to get a grip and rot it from the inside.
if you are building a new garage then maybe have a recessed part of the floor that you new lift can sit in , so its flush with the floor for easy bike on and off' ness
this is what I use for my classics..good company with good back up :yes:
http://www.saluk.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=59
The "professional" variety will handle 680Kgs
Shame Asif.!!!!!! I've just sold one for 50 sqid ( as new). With the GTR I just didn't feel safe putting it on, I had a vision that at any second it was going to crash to the earths crust. I found the problem with them is that you are stood on the floor, but the bike is already 6 to 8 inches off the ground, so It became a balancing act, and I was certain that some time soon my luck would run out and craaaaaaaaash. I would advise that you try putting the bike on one first to see if you feel confident with it.!!!!! The GTR is a BIG HEAVY bike.
The GTR IS a big heavy bike and should be respected, always take off panniers and top box before attempting to use a ramp. I have one and recommend them if you are confident in manoeuvring your bike. It gives much better access for cleaning and servicing. My knees etc can't take the getting up and down and prolonged kneeling anymore either. My only regret is that I did not get an air powered rather than hydraulic (I did not have a compressor when I got the ramp, now I have and you cannot easily retrofit an air ram.
Coman
'Machine Mart' do good bike lifts hydraulic and air, ( remember to watch the headroom in your man shed )
Thanks for all the info.
Geoff, you've got a good point about maneuvering the bike. I don't really maneuver off the bike. Something I need to consider I guess, but I am confident about my abilities in doing it.
I've often thought about the benefits of a lift but think that many of them look insuffient for the GTR. Something like this would be good, a professional lift and very heavy duty. Have a ring round any bike shops and see if they are considering upgrading their equipment and ask if they'll give you first refusal on their current equipment.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Fingers/IMG_0491.jpg)
Looks good - apart from that muddy coloured thing on top of it............ :whistling:
Quote from: Winston Smith on July 17, 2012, 12:07:52 AM
Looks good - apart from that muddy coloured thing on top of it............ :whistling:
Winston, if I didnt know better I'd say you were missing your GTR. :mfr_lol: Its magnesium God damnit!!!!
I admit to never having put my GTR on my lift. Its not that the lift won't handle the weight its just that the GTR is a big heavy bike, and wheeling or driving it up the ramp onto the lift seems a bit scary :shocked:
I use my lift for my classics which are lighter, but even they are secured by ratchet straps to make sure that they don't fall off, there has been the odd occasion when bikes have been balanced on top of the lift :oops:
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n326/oldeconey/IMG_0087.jpg)
But if I had my lift recessed into the ground then that would be a much better idea.
mmmmmmmmm, now where can I hire a jack hammer :mfr_lol:
Looks like the Clarke 450kg to me. I've got one but I'll think twice before putting the big man on it. Me tiger wobbled at medium height and ALWAYS put the safety bar across the scissors. I'm thinking of putting bolts in the garage floor where the 4 support bolts on the frame marry up. Precision drilling but it may be a bit more stable. The front wheel clamp I found pretty useless as well. It did put the Bike in the middle and stopped the risk of falling off the end!
I have one I use a lot (engineering firm made it up for the guy I bought it from), but I have never had the GTR up on it. Had my previous behemoth tourer (Triumph Trophy) up a few times.
They are magnificently useful things, but four things to bear in mind.
1) You have to get the bike up and down the ramp, so ramp angle and minimum height are big factors.
2) Bikes are tall, so you need a fair bit of vertical clearance in your garage.
3) There will be times when you need to stand on the raised ramp yourself, alongside the bike - to reach a high fastener rather than lower the bike down etc. Factor in your weight plus bike's weight.
4) The bed length is almost always *just* long enough in my experience. I'd want the GTR on the centre stand, so that means it will reverse 6-8 inches as it is put on the centre stand. Is there enough extra bed length to cover the bit of reversing before the rear wheel starts to raise.
Personally, I like the look of those SALUK lifts that Olde Coney posted, and I'd be tempted to get the extra width of the ATV one myself if I were buying again. The proper ones are lots of money, but I would want quality engineering involved in something that is lifting something so heavy, and fragile, that far off the ground.
Martin.