Jack/Lift Recommendation for 5th Gen?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Joel Brown, Jul 16, 2020.

  1. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    Hope someone can help.

    I have a '98 and want to get a lift/jack for it. There are so many, I'm wondering if there's "one" I should get (thinking like... is the oil pan odd or does the center-stand interfere with some brands?) Or, is there one that will let me keep the fairings on (if I'm working on chain/tires/brakes/etc.)?

    I'm 99.9 % certain, I just get the one I think looks-good but, thought I'd see what the group thinks?

    Thanks, in advance. ~ Joel
     
  2. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Get the flat red one, seriously..... make a block of wood/plywood to fit if fairings interfere, lift on oil pans or headers while bike is on the centerstand. Otherwise, get bike stands or an ABBA.
     
  3. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    I have the combination front lift stand from Pitbull, and the Harbor Freight motorcycle lift. Both work well,
    and serve different functions. I don't have a rear lift since I've found the centerstand works okay for
    the times I've needed to work on the rear.
     
  4. comradeQuestion

    comradeQuestion New Member

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    I recently bought an ABBA stand and really like it. I got all the primo add-ons as well, they call it "Superbike Package 3". This one comes with casters so that you can roll the bike around in the garage with it completely in the air. The bike feels stable enough when on the lift even though I was a little wary of it at first. I had the entire front end off and swapped in F4i forks in 6th gen triples and did head bearings at the same time. I was careful not to push on the bike too hard, but that didn't hinder my work at all. The bike will twist left to right in the stand, and the stand will flex a little bit. This is what had me worried at first, but I've done all this work on the bike and its been solid the whole time. I am confident in it now, but still careful when working on the bike.

    My only other experience with stands has been with rear stands and center stands. The main reason I bought the ABBA stand is because I wanted to do this front end swap without jerry rigging something to prop up the front while on the center stand, and I don't like the idea of putting jacks underneath the headers. I also like that you can use the same stand with different bikes. You just need to buy the bike specific pin set from them. It packs up really small, so would be easy to take to a trackday and will allow you to remove both wheels at the same time (even with no center stand).
     
  5. iLikeThat

    iLikeThat New Member

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    I also have the ABBA sky-lift, perfect for working on bikes, works for most bikes with the specific adapters. As previous poster said, a bit of flex side to side, but it is completely safe to stand on the bike when using it. The only thing to be wary off is when putting the bike on/off the lift, can be a bit tricky.
    Had the whole front and swing arm off as well on my ninja 636.[​IMG]
     
  6. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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  7. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    If you have a centre stand then arguably you don't need a lift !

    Don't get me wrong, I have 9 stands including the abba skylift but why buy one if you don't need to?

    The centre stand on my 800 is used for 90% of tasks. the others just get a front stand added.

    So in answer - maybe a front stand could be useful for you, however I have removed the front wheels and forks whilst on the centre stand. Just need to strap down the back.
     
  8. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    if you are looking for a lift then the Skylift does get my recommendation - but its not cheap.
     
  9. vikingGoalie

    vikingGoalie New Member

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  10. iLikeThat

    iLikeThat New Member

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    Looks like it would be usable for bikes with frames under the engine. For example Harleys or something. Inconvenient for something like a modern bike/sport bike.
    You get what you pay for
     
  11. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    My step-son has one of the HF lifts similar to that for use with his Harley, and friends'
    Harleys. It works fine, but won't work worth a hoot without a fairly flat area on the bottom
    of the bike to sit on. VFR's don't have that flat surface.
     
  12. vikingGoalie

    vikingGoalie New Member

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    while true that you can't lift directly with it. here's an example of what one person did with that lift.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Hmm, that's definitely thinking outside the box. Good solution.
    But the regular HF motorcycle lift table isn't that much more and works well.
     
  14. vikingGoalie

    vikingGoalie New Member

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    Hmm at least at my HF, the motorcycle lift with table is $449 which is over twice the $199 for this lift. and I am a bit cheap at times ;)
     
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  15. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    But you can catch them on sale for less than $300 if you watch for a sale. The cheapest I've seen them
    in quite a while is $290. But it's like anything else at HF, you're crazy if you pay full price. :)
     
  16. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Some DIY ideas.......


     
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  17. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Although I have more than one stand option, the Abba Skylift is the one I use for long term projects. In fact my 5 Gen is currently on it now, as I'm doing some tear down and replacement project at the moment. Otherwise for everyday maintenance, I use the Pitbull stands front and rear.
     
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  18. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Exactly the same as me - think I use 6 other types of stand & a Abba Superbike stand. The skylift is by far away the most useful kit but would love it motorised or air driven.
     
  19. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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  20. mhzpower

    mhzpower New Member

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    I modelled up the Abba lift and had my dad make it.

    My 5th gen is on right now for a head bearing and tire change.

    I like the freedom it gives to work on almost the entire bike at the same time.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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