You have to consider various things when you’re shopping for a motorcycle jack. In this section, we’ll have a look at the factors that you mustn’t miss when buying a motorcycle jack.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle Jack

1. The Type of Motorcycle Jack

The commonly available motorcycle jack can be divided into the following two types: the scissor/screw jack and the hydraulic/floor jack. The latter uses a hydraulic pump to lift motorcycles off the ground. A hydraulic motorcycle jack is used to lift heavy-duty motorcycles or dirt bikes, choppers, or ATVs, and has a weight capacity of 2000 pounds or more. However, you’d need some additional items to securely and tightly hold the vehicle. These are also quite popular among people because of their ease of use. One of the drawbacks of this equipment is that it is a bit expensive.

The other type of motorcycle jack, scissor/screw jack, is a budget-friendly product. This lightweight and compact motorcycle jack includes a self-locking mechanism and is ideal for lifting lightweight motorcycles. The area where this particular motorcycle jack lacks in is its load-bearing capacity as the product cannot lift heavy-duty motorcycles.

2. Budget

There is a famous saying that goes, “cut your coat according to your cloth”, which simply means that you have to be a little reasonable with your spending. Many people wrongly believe that the more they spend, the better the product they will get. Even though there are some motorcycle jacks that are available at a price of $500, you can find some high-quality lifts somewhere between $70 and $200. The price of a motorcycle jack is directly proportional to the features it comes with. Factors including the type of lift, the load-bearing capacity of the lift, the material used, etc., play an important role in determining the price of a motorcycle jack.
Also, be sure that you will also need some additional tools to properly use the motorbike lift. When roughly calculating the cost of a motorcycle jack, don’t forget to add the cost of these extra accessories as well. Many sellers offer motorcycle jack bundles or packages that include all these additional tools as well. Even though they will cost a bit extra, they will save you from the trouble of shopping for additional accessories.

3. Ease of Use

The reason why many people keep a motorcycle jack in their garage is that the device helps them carry out the minor repair work or the regular maintenance of their vehicles comfortably. This is why it is crucial to choose a product that provides maximum ease of use. A user-friendly motorcycle jack will make it easier for you to lift your bike and check the oil or quickly fix the minor damages caused to the vehicle. Before you finalize your purchase, make sure that your motorcycle jack lets you access the hard-to-reach parts 

The jack should also be easy to install and move. Some models of the motorcycle jack come with wheels, which enable you to move along the device quite comfortably. Another factor that comes under the ease of use feature of a motorcycle jack is the range of heights offered by the jack. Whichever type of motorcycle jack you buy, ensure that it is able to lift the motorcycle to a fairly high level.

4. Load-bearing Capacity

What’s good is a motorcycle jack if it is unavailable to lift your motorcycle efficiently? An important factor to look at is the load-bearing capacity of the motorcycle jack you’re considering to buy. You can find motorcycle jacks from those that can hold up to 300lbs to some that can impressively lift up to 5000 lbs. Don’t even try overloading the jack as this will not only cause grave damages to your vehicle but may also maim you. You’d probably know the weight of your motorcycle. So, when you are browsing through the available motorcycle jacks, choose the one which can easily hold the weight of your motorcycle.

5. Safety of Your Vehicle

Motorcycles are not an inexpensive product. In fact, major bike repairs can also end up squeezing thousand of dollars out of your pocket. To ensure maximum safety and protection of your motorcycle, it is crucial to go with a jack that is packed with safety features. There are a few safety tips that you ought to follow when carrying out repair work using a motorcycle jack. Don’t use an impact wrench or an impact driver when repairing the motorcycle as the vibrations caused by these devices can damage your vehicle. It is also equally important to strap your vehicle tightly before starting the repair work.

6. The Loading Platform

For people who have heavy-duty and enormous motorcycles, it is extremely crucial that they look for a motorcycle jack that provides a wide platform. In addition, you should also make sure to properly check the platform’s surface. Platforms with rubber paddings are ideal as they decrease the risk of slippages, scratches, etc.

7. Construction

Since you are using a motorcycle jack to lift your motorcycles, you should not compromise on the built of the device. Motorcycle jacks that come with sturdy and durable built will be able to easily hold heavy-duty vehicles. Manufacturers mostly build the frame of the jack with steel and use aluminum and other alloys for other important parts. This combination helps the manufacturers to create a corrosion-free, lightweight, and durable motorcycle jack.

FAQs

For what types of motorcycle can I use a motorcycle jack?

Motorcycle jacks come with a universal design, which indicates that they can be used to lift almost all types of motorcycles. However, the mounting process of the vehicle may differ. Also, for specialty motorcycles, a single jack may not be sufficient.

What steps should I take for the maintenance of a motorcycle jack?

Like every other thing, a motorcycle jack also requires regular maintenance. Make it a routine to lubricate and clean the jack to allow it to work smoothly. As the motorcycle jack ages, you are likely to have to replace hydraulic fluid or other parts for its smooth functioning.

Which motorcycle jack is better: a hydraulic or scissor jack?

Your choice of a motorcycle jack is largely dependent on the load-bearing capacity you’re aiming for. If you are looking to get a jack that can lift a heavy-duty motorcycle – the one which is around 2000 lbs – you must consider getting a hydraulic jack. For relatively lighter weight bikes, a scissor jack will be a better choice.

What is the use of a motorcycle jack?

If you are the kind of person who prefers to fix minor damages of their motorcycles on their own, you might want to own a motorcycle jack. This is because this device helps you to lift the motorcycle off the ground. With the help of a motorcycle jack, you will be able to raise the motorcycle to a height from where it will be able to clearly inspect the problematic and hard-to-reach areas of the bike. For using the jack, all you have to do is to slide the jack underneath the bike and secure it. With the help of a lever or pump that normally comes with jack, lift the jack. This process will resultantly lift the motorcycle and bring it off of the ground and to the required height. Now, you can easily have a look at your motorcycle and fix the issues. Once you’re done with the repairs, don’t forget to bring down the motorcycle with caution.

What problems can a motorcycle jack cause?

Motorcycle jacks are vulnerable to both minor and major damages. The most common problem that a majority of motorcyclists face is the pump that no longer works. To resolve this problem, you can consider pumping the pump/lever more than once to see if it resumes working. On the other hand, if there is a leak in your motorcycle jack, there is a little that you can do and you have to ultimately get a new one.

Are motorcycle jacks super expensive?

The price of the motorcycle jack will depend on the number of features it comes with. For a motorcycle jack that comes with a number of features, you will have to pay a little extra. However, this doesn’t mean that there are no high-quality jacks available at affordable prices. In fact, in our list mentioned above, you will find a number of jacks that come with a low price tag.

Is there any other use of motorcycle jack than being used for repairing the bike?

Using a motorcycle jack for lifting the motorcycle so that you can inspect the problematic areas of the vehicle closely is indeed a major benefit of the device. In addition to this, you can use the jack as a motorcycle stand. This means that when your vehicle is not in use, you can lift it off the ground. Do this to ensure that the tires of the vehicle are not on the ground all the time. This will also ensure that the tires remain in top-notch condition throughout.

Can I carry a jack with me on rides?

Encountering a major vehicle-problem throughout your rides is quite possible. If you are abandoned on a deserted street, it becomes difficult for you to get any help promptly. For such cases, it is advisable that you at least start inspecting the bike to find out what the problem is. For this, you can consider keeping a lightweight and compact scissor jack so that you can at least find out if you require extra help to fix the problem or if you can do it on your own.

Why should I use a motorcycle jack if I always consult with a mechanic?

Even for people who don’t want to carry out any motorcycle-related DIY project, owning a motorcycle jack can be quite beneficial. As discussed above, the jack can be used for efficient storage of the motorcycle.

How to use a motorcycle jack?

The motorcycle jack is one of the few vehicle-related devices that are so easy to use. For a motorcycle jack, all you have to do is to first assemble the device in case it doesn’t come pre-assembled. Then, position your bike. Make sure that your bike is standing on a flat surface and has a steady grip on the ground. In case you feel that the vehicle is not steady, you should consider placing blocks of wood at the front and rear wheels. After locating the bike’s center of gravity – which is commonly somewhere around the engine – slide the jack underneath the bike. If your motorcycle jack comes with locking bars or tie-down straps, use them to tightly secure the vehicle in one place. Then, use the lift pedal to lift the motorcycle. When doing so, don’t raise it above the recommended height.

The Final Word

If this is your first time buying a motorcycle jack, we hope that our guide helped you make the right decision. As mentioned above, shopping for a motorcycle jack isn’t easy. You have to look for a lot of things before you can finalize your purchase. In case you’re still unsure about the motorcycle jacks that you can buy, we recommend you to have a look at our top 3.

The top pick

On the basis of its features, the Orion Motor Tech Dilated Scissor Lift Jack is our top pick. The jack can hold vehicles weighing between 1000 and 1200 lbs.

The premium pick

The Black Widow ProLift Motorcycle Lift and Jack is a premium product, and its price reflects the same. However, when it comes to features, the product has literally no match.

The value pick

The LiftMaster Scissor Lift Jack is quite a user-friendly device, which allows the bikers to lift their vehicles safely and securely for close inspection. It is available at a fair price, making itself the top choice of people.