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Bike Lift by Team Mechanix
April 6, 2009
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| Editor Ratings * | |||
| Quality |
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6 | |
| Style |
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8 | |
| Portability |
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8 | |
| Convenience |
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8 | |
| Price |
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9 | |
| Value |
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8 | |
| Overall | 7.8 | ||
| Very Good | |||
| While the strengths of a product scoring in this range certainly outweigh its weaknesses, it has some minor faults that certain users should be aware of. | |||
| *Out of a possible 10 points | |||
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A motorcycle jack is an essential tool for motorcyclists. It will raise the bike to a height that facilitates cleaning and detailing, closer examination of mechanics on the underside and lower sides of your motorcycle and performance of various mechanical and maintenance procedures. When you raise your favorite ride 15” inches off the floor, you want the assurance that it will stay there. Right?!
The Team Mechanix ATV/Motorcycle lift is constructed of steel stock and designed to lift up to 1500 lbs. I must tell you, the first time I raised my motorcycle with this lift, I was nervous. Going forward, I will only use this lift for lighter bikes; e.g. 500 lbs or less.
Motorcyclists are accustomed to quality products. We have developed a discerning mentality as a matter of survival. While on the road, decisions need to be made in milliseconds and timely responsiveness of motorcycle mechanics is essential. Most motorcyclists recognize quality when they see it.
I am accustomed to a lift that accommodates pulling or pushing on a raised motorcycle while cleaning and/or working on it. This lift is not one that encourages a confident mindset or repeated use for that matter.
Operation and Portability:
The lift is simple to use. Simply place it at the appropriate spot (consult owners manual) under your motorcycle, close the valve on the bottle jack and begin pumping. The lift saddles are narrow so there is a short margin of error to be sure the motorcycle is balanced for lifting. Be certain the lift is placed properly.
While raising your lift, the motorcycle will gradually roll onto the lift and it will soon be raised to your preferred position, up to 15 inches. Rotate the safety bar forward and slowly release the jack valve. The motorcycle will gradually come to rest in its most stable raised position.
While in this position, there is very little wobble in the lift’s structure, and therefore, the motorcycle appears stable.
However, add any leverage to the front or rear of the motorcycle, and the lift and motorcycle will most likely tip. Anchoring the motorcycle to the lift is a good idea but will not prevent this tipping scenario. If the lift and motorcycle are tied together, everything will tip at once.
To return the motorcycle to its normal parked position, tighten the jack valve and pump the lift jack until the safety bar is released. Place the safety bar in locked position and slowly release the valve, lowering the motorcycle to its parked position. Now you can relax and breathe easy assuming everything worked the way it was intended.
Features:
- Flat and tube steel stock ranging in thickness from 3/16” to 5/16”
- Range of lift between 4” and 15”
- Load capacity of 1500 lbs.
- Swivel steel castors
- Rubber padded saddles
- Safety bar locks lift arm in raised position
- Folds flat – to 4” – for storage
- Recessed bottle jack unit rated at 1500 lbs.
- Lift weighs 49 lbs.
- 3 year warranty of workmanship and parts
- Meets or exceeds ANSI requirements for quality automotive products per manufacturer’s claims
Quality and Value:
The advertised price for this ATV/motorcycle lift is $59.95 or 49.95 with rebate. So the cost is very reasonable. But you will get what you pay for. The metal stock is barely adequate to lift the promised 1500 lbs. There is enough play in castors and pinned joints so that a heavier bike (500+lbs) is not stable, and there is a threat of tipping when fully raised.
The features listed above are representative of the lift capacity and operation of this lift. However, the steel stock is light weight, the joints are loosely fitted, and the welds on the model we tested tend not to be square. The result is a lift that does list to one side or the other under the weight of a larger motorcycle.
Final Thoughts:
Placing a $15,000 to $45,000+ precision vehicle on a $60 lift, makes no sense if the motorcycle is over 500 lbs. For heavier motorcycles purchase a lift built to quality standards using steel stock that will not give under prescribed weight, that has quality milled joints and welds and that has a broad footprint.
When a quality lift is in the raised position, you should be able to get on the motorcycle and move around on it with out fear or threat of tipping.
Product Review Comments
3/6/2009 12:30 PM
fuckcufk
fuckcufk
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