If you do any work at all on your motorcycle, I'm sure you have thought about getting some sort of motorcycle lift. Need to get your wheels off the ground to change your tires or rims? Are you tired of bending over to do trivial things like cleaning your bike or changing your oil? Some sort of lift can really make life with your motorcycle much easier. But what kind of lift do you need? You have several choices available, and the right one depends on what you are trying to do and how much money you have to spend.
The most basic option is some sort of stationary stand. These can range from a commercially available stand to something as simple as a milk crate. Stands like this are extremely simple, with no moving parts that can break. They tend to be inexpensive compared to other options, and they are also lightweight and extremely portable. The main drawback is the fact that they don't do any of the lifting for you. You have to pick your motorcycle up by some other means and set it down on your stand. Depending on the size of your bike, this could be a deal-breaker.
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Your second option is a motorcycle jack. A jack will fold down to be relatively flat so it can be placed under your bike, and then uses either a hydraulic jack or an air cylinder to raise your bike up in the air. Normally, you have two or more rails that contact your bike frame to support it while lifting. The hydraulic or air power makes lifting your motorcycle easy. The fact that these jacks are relatively flat in their down position makes them easy to store either behind or under something in your garage. They are also relatively inexpensive and can be purchased for between 0 and 0. They are significantly heavier than a stationary stand, so they are not as portable. They still normally weight under 100 pounds, so they are not terrible to move around.
Your final option is a motorcycle lift table. These are larger units that have a table surface on which to roll or drive your bike. They use hydraulic or air cylinders to raise your motorcycle to comfortable working height. They provide a very stable platform for doing most anything to your bike. These lift tables are not very portable. They normally weight quite a bit and are not designed to be moved. Because of their weight, they are also very expensive to ship, normally requiring freight shipping and a business address. They are much more expensive than other options, costing 0 and up. They also don't actually lift the wheels of your bike off the ground, meaning you would still need some sort of jack if you need change wheels or tires.
Motorcycle table lifts are designed for motorcycle service shops where they can have some dedicated floor space. If you can spare the space and the money, a lift table may be the choice for you. Motorcycle jacks are designed with the average motorcycle owner in mind. They are the best choice if you can't easily lift your motorcycle yourself. Motorcycle stands are designed for motocross bike and dirt bike owners in mind. If you can lift you motorcycle by yourself and want to save some money, these will work fine for you. There is no one correct answer for the right motorcycle lift. It all depends on what you have and how much you have to spend.
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