Needed a motorcycle lift for the 2018 Star Venture T.C...and this one's a beaut!

[YamahaParExcellence]

Hey folks,

 

Was in the great U.S. of A. over the weekend, and went to Harbor Freight, looking for a good, not cheap, and not break-the-bank, either motorcycle/ATV lift...and found one! This thing rocks...and **oozes** quality build:

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-63397.html

 

First off, it is totally aircraft spec, cast aluminum, and not basic steel flat stock that has to be welded together. All parts are precision cast (just like the sub-frame of the SVTC, or the GL1800 Gold Wings, etc)

 

It has a massive central lift structure, that also is an excellent side-to-side stabilizer.

 

This is the first strong, and light for moving, cast aluminum motorcycle lift jack I have ever seen.

 

So...if you are in the market to lift your SVTC and have up to 17 inches of lift (19 inches with the added supports)...this is a very, very good catch at $179.99

 

The only thing it does not have are tie-down bars, but that is not a fatal consideration, in that you can use other ways to tie down the bike onto the stand. It is very stable and does not have side-to-side wobble, because of that very massive central lift. Note: this particular motorcycle lift, does not jack up a sub-frame, with the hydraulic bottle...that you see on all the other welded lifts that have four flat and bolted together leg-frame-members.

 

No..this one is like a true 'underneath' hydraulic lift central support and lift member. Take a look at the picture, and you will see what I mean. The two out-board aluminum support flats, do not have any stress on them supporting the bike. They just keep things in alignment. The central massive hydraulic lift piston does all the work and support of the bike when lifting, then the multi-height safety lock holds the weight of the bike up, as you hear the click at the height you want..and then slowly back off the lift so the structure settles into the locked position.

 

If you are near a Harbor Freight, check it out in person, operate it as I did...and then save $$$ over the competition.

 

 

[TABLE=class: data-table, width: 399]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Platform length (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]12-5/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Caster size (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]2-3/8 in. (front), 1-5/8 in. (rear)[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Maximum Lift Height (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]17 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Minimum height (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]3-5/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Product Height[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]7-7/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Length[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]33-3/4 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Product Weight[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]51.9 lbs.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Width[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]17-1/3 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: last odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Shipping Weight[/TH]

[TD=class: data]57.25 lb.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Cheers,

Edited April 10, 2018 by YamahaParExcellence

[Mimurph]

Two questions. Can you center the jack in the balance point of the bike to pick it up fairly level? Also do you hit the frame of the bike or the motor.. Are you shiming to make frame contact. Thanks for posting

Edited April 9, 2018 by Mimurph

[YamahaParExcellence]

Two questions. Can you center the jack in the balance point of the bike to pick it up fairly level? Also do you hit the frame of the bike or the motor.. Are you shiming to make frame contact. Thanks for posting

 

 

I can't answer that yet, for I haven't taken delivery of my SVTC. I have used it on my Kawasaki ZR-7S, and it picks up very nicely. Well balanced, and I have no trouble working on either the front or rear end of the bike. On their site, owners that have large Harley's report great and satisfying results. It also is the lowest height, at rest, so will slide under anything for positioning. It has two extra elevation pads for bikes with higher clearances, so you don't waste lift height. Total lift is at the highest range of them all...17 inches, and 19 inches if you use the 2 inch additional risers.

 

I like how it moves about the floor...and in the lift, is solid like a rock. The SVTC is only 400 pounds more than the Kawa...so should have no problem. Handles 1,500 pounds.

 

When I get the SVTC, I'll give a full review with that ride. Until then...it is built like the brick you-know-what-house, and the finish on it is superb, for all parts of it. For the right-now asking price of $179.99, when all the good lifts are taken into the mix, this is a steal...and great value for the money spent. There is no need to spend up to, $459.99 unless you wish to. I'd check it out...at the store, and you make a judgement for yourself. The two main cast aluminum frame members, are so well cast...that quite frankly, if you saw this at someone's house, there is no way, you would think it sold for the asking price it currently is at. No way...

 

Finally, if you look at the picture of it, those two higher lift rails, merely lift out of the main lower ones....they are there, only if you need them for your bike, or ATV. I just lifted them out of their hole mounts for lifting my Sport Tour. BTW, even the pin that locks or releases the hydraulic fluid, for lift or lowering is chrome plated, nothing that has steel is bare. Harbor Freight is kicking butt with this one!

 

Joe

Edited April 10, 2018 by YamahaParExcellence

[Mimurph]

I can't answer that yet, for I haven't taken delivery of my SVTC. I have used it on my Kawasaki ZR-7S, and it picks up very nicely. Well balanced, and I have no trouble working on either the front or rear end of the bike. On their site, owners that have large Harley's report great and satisfying results. It also is the lowest height, at rest, so will slide under anything for positioning. It has two extra elevation pads for bikes with higher clearances, so you don't waste lift height. Total lift is at the highest range of them all...17 inches.

 

I like how it moves about the floor...and in the lift, is solid like a rock. The SVTC is only 400 pounds more than the Kawa...so should have no problem. Handles 1,500 pounds.

 

When I get the SVTC, I'll give a full review with that ride. Until then...it is built like the brick you-know-what-house, and the finish on it is superb, for all parts of it. For the right-now asking price of $179.99, of ALL the lifts, this is a steal...great value for the money spent. There is no need to spend $459.99 unless you wish to. I'd check it out...at the store, and you make a judgement for yourself. The two main cast aluminum frame members, are so well cast...that quite frankly, if you saw this at someone's house, there is no way, you would think it sold for the asking price it currently is at. No way...

 

Finally, if you look at the picture of it, those two higher lift rails, merely lift out of the main lower ones....they are there, only if you need them for your bike, or ATV. I just lifted them out of their hole mounts for lifting my Sport Tour. BTW, even the pin that locks or releases the hydraulic fluid, for lift or lowering is chrome plated, nothing that has steel is bare. Harbor Freight is kicking butt with this one!

 

Joe

Another question. Can the risers be installed in the other direction? You know like the east/west instead of north south. If so can you measure the inside space between the risers, and then the total Outside to outside. And third the height of the risers? One more thing. The height of top of the riser when it's full down.. With these measurements, I should be able to tell if it will work.. Thanks in advance.. Murph

[YamahaParExcellence]

Another question. Can the risers be installed in the other direction? You know like the east/west instead of north south. If so can you measure the inside space between the risers, and then the total Outside to outside. And third the height of the risers? One more thing. The height of top of the riser when it's full down.. With these measurements, I should be able to tell if it will work.. Thanks in advance.. Murph

 

No problem. I'll see all that for ya. I lent it to my son, for him to check out, so will have it back next week. He lives out of town. I'll let you know, ASAP. If you want to find out sooner, they have a floor model at most stores. You could see it for yourself and take all your measurements right there, as well as see if the two lift rails will sit straddling both regular rails, BUT...just know, that if you do that...they do add another two inches to the height of the fixed rails. I couldn't use them on my Kawa...and the stock rails had plenty of clearance before I started the lift. Just not two inches more of clearance.

 

I remember that the lift surfaces of the fixed rails is around 3.5/8th's inches from the ground...so it should be no problem to slip in under the SVTC. I bought this for that bike, after all.

 

[TABLE=class: data-table, width: 399]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Platform length (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]12-5/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Caster size (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]2-3/8 in. (front), 1-5/8 in. (rear)[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Maximum Lift Height (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]17 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Minimum height (in.)[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]3-5/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Product Height[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]7-7/8 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Length[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]33-3/4 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Product Weight[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]51.9 lbs.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE]

[TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Width[/TH]

[TD=class: data last]17-1/3 in.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: last odd]

[TH=class: label, align: left]Shipping Weight[/TH]

[TD=class: data]57.25 lb.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Edited April 9, 2018 by YamahaParExcellence

[Mimurph]

I will take a look at at it in the store and measure. Thanks for your help

[YamahaParExcellence]

I will take a look at at it in the store and measure. Thanks for your help

 

No problem. My son dropped by...and I took him out to see it in the garage. He took one look at it...and said..."Dad... I got to ask...how MUCH did you pay for that sucker...?"

It was positively evil...my humming and hawing, until I told him. He said; "What?!?!?!?" Can I try that at home to lift my bike?" "Sure...but have it back next weekend..." He better....lol.

[YamahaParExcellence]

Current Super Coupon will get you 20% off. I didn't have that...but they said that if I bring that coupon in within 30 days, I can get my 179.99 reduced by that amount. So...off to New York State this weekend...and that's ok...the wife wanted to do some outlet shopping and there are other really great sales on Torque Wrenches, and open ratchet sets. The plan...drop her off at the outlet mall...and high tail it back to Harbor Freight. For those wanting in on this great lift...and live around Toronto...here is the store you can whip across the border to:

Just Goggle Harbor Freight Current Coupons...and you will see the black 20 percent off one item. Print that out, and take that to the store when buying this lift..or any other single item you want. After that...dinner in Niagara On The Lake...then home along the QEW. Have fun!

 

Harbor Freight:

Located in: Milpine Plaza

8426 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304, USA

 

Phone: +1 716-297-3049

 

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[YamahaParExcellence]

Bump, this is still available for $179.99, but there is a Super Coupon for 20% off until the end of this month..so you can get this lift for: $143.99...which in this guy's view..is an amazing purchase opportunity. Only until the end of April...(with Super Coupon).