Buying A Bike Lift

[500mg]

As the title says and as a result of slipping a disc in my lower back a few years ago every time I work on the bike seems to give me grief!

So I have decided to purchase a bike lift however as it will only be used occasionally I don't need anything too substantial or something that will take up all the garage floor space.

I have seen this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-MC365-Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Lift-Ramp-Bench-365Kg-Capacity-New/162503138034?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D44f1ffc2142f4340a32e322b815e4393%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D331317599792   and would value any advice from anyone that might have the same model or is there anything better out there that is fairly lightweight and portable.

TY

[blobstrom]

Recently I was searching for a bike ramp with the strom due some attention, but looking at the prices and how much it would be used... feck! .. 'borrowed  ' 2 pallets from work cut In half used my van ramp to push bike up on and sorted. Gained about a foot or so, sturdy enough and took the back ache out. Not exactly cutting edge but cheap!

[Fat Rat]

I wouldn't be without mine, even just cleaning the bike is so much easier.

[Brockett]

Consider the overall height of the bike, make sure you enough headroom in your garage / workshop to lift the bike on the table to a position where the table can be locked so as to not rely entirely on pressure ram. Also a good idea to know so you don't smash the screen on the ceiling.
A full size table will take up floor space but I think you'll find a smaller version with be as much hassle.
I leave my table up and locked so I can use it as work bench / storage area, but that is my need as I have three bikes.

[Hugh Mungus]

I have a cheaper version and I was a bit dubious as to whether it would be OK for a hefty bike (I had an FJR1300 at the time) it coped brilliantly. I would not be without it either as I too suffer from back pain.

I say buy one. You will not regret it. It makes working on a bike much more pleasurable and cleaning wheels is a whole lot easier.

[Asmith61]

I wouldn't be without mine either I to suffer with my back and it is so easy to use, as I have 3 bikes I mostly leave one on the bike lift, mine has a bar to lock it in place to take the pressure of off the ram, I'll post a picture 

[Asmith61]

As you can see mine is also magnetised duh !!

[TLPower]

Are they track day only tyres?

[Ian T]

I have had a machine mart one for years and it is still good as new and operates perfectly, lost a bit of coating here and there with spillage but very strong.

I even used it when I had aFXDXI and that bugger weighed a ton and some

Not had to grovel around on the floor for years, mind you always seem to have the wrong bike on it when something needs to be done.

I got it on one of their VAT free offers so it was much cheaper. I always have a look around at shows and events but the machine mart one still seems better made. Mind you not ever seen a sealey one and they usually good quality.

Cheers

Ian

[Loz]

I had one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121504907277?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

worked fine one everyting from my dirtbikes, track bikes, GSX1400 and the Veek. I use rear paddock stand/Abba stands on the bikes, so if you do likewise, ensure the table top is wide enough to accommodate whatever you are goung to use.

The are also very heavy, so unless you plan to keep it in the same position they can be a pita to move about.

[500mg]

Thanks for all your replies much appreciated.

I think I am going to go for the Clarke CML3 from Machine Mart as it seems to get favorable reviews from Ian T and others that have bought one and also I could use as a work bench (Thanks Brockett) when not in use. Just got to wait for their next VAT free offer as should save about £80.  Does anyone know how often these offers come around, I did buy some stuff in January and saved a good bit.

[Fat Rat]

I fitted lockable castors to mine 

[Robotstar5]

Another forum I use has a "VAT free" post so anyone with an unwanted offer can post it as they seem to come out at different times. You only need the number/code to get the discount.

[vstroman]

Can anyone recommend a bike lift? I read some of the reviews on the Sealey one and they aren't great, rather spend a bit more and get a decent one.

[tallpaul]

I have a MB03C from CJ Autos. It's well made and I'm happy with it.

[TLPower]

I ended up buying the Clarke CML3 lift on a VAT free day. It is absolutely brilliant, being a "careful" Yorkshire person I looked at the lifts available reviews, cost etc and took the plunge. I wish I'd done it years ago, as others have said it even makes the simple job of cleaning a pleasure.

I call it my operating table.

[vstroman]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I'll have a look at the end of this month when the sales are on.