Harbor Freight Lift

[DriftersWay]

Is there anyone here still using the Harbor Freight Motorcycle lift for Their RT.
If so what are your thoughts.
Thanks for any info

 

[boomerman]

I own one that i use for my motorcycle but how would you use it with a Spyder without modifications?
It's not wide enough to get a spyder on it.
I would love to see pics of modified Harbor Freight lifts that would work with the Spyder.

 

[Bob L]

I did use it for a couple of oil changes but was very uneasy about it's wobbliness. I ended up buying a Pitbull lift with the Spyder adapter. I know a number of people will say that is a waste of money, but the peace of mind having the RT stable while elevated is worth it for me.

 

[Chupaca]

Depends...

There are quite a few models that they have. I one from sears that they have also the same set up and it works fine. It is wobbly as stated above but for oil changes etc it is fine for other work I add "A" stands to stabalize.

 

[Eckhard]

I use a bike lift to raise a spyder. It follows the ideas suggested in this video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfZzDOuv2PQ

This is a graphic of my setup..



I have to block up the spyder near the front of the frame to be able to lift it. The parts shown are made of commercial lumber save for the cross pipe that is used to locate the wheel stands. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Lew L]

jack stands!!!!!!

I use a HF jack also----- BUT after raised to working height I put ithe :spyder2n jack stands. 2 in front and a large block of wood ( a section of a large glue lam beam ) under the rear tire. Would you work under your car/truck with out jackstands. Don't you dare tell me its any different. 2 jack stands and a piece of wood-------one minute

Lew L

 

[DriftersWay]

Just what I was looking for, except the Harbor Freight Lift

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Yup. works fine for everything I've had to do

 

[HayRog]

Yup. works fine for everything I've had to do

Same here. I'll also use jack stands depending on what I'm working on.

 

[Boilermaker]

Great lift. Works great right out of the box. Fits under Spyder without a problem. Wait for coupon to get it under $70. I would never crawl under the Spyder without jack stands securely in place.

 

[DGoebel]

Add another very happy wrencher using my sub $100 HF lift. I've installed Baja Rons anti-sway bar, taken the frunk off, removed the whole rear trunk and saddlebag assembly, done multiple oil changes with it. But yes, I always use my standard jack stands to stabilize the spyder when up on the lift.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I use the Craftsman branded copy of this one. Same as others once I've lifted the RT I put blocks under the wheels or use jack stands. You can't easily change the oil with the RT on the lift. It is a little bit wobbly but that's because you have to lift the Spyder by the 4" wide frame in the middle. There is no outer frame to lift by except at the front and you can't get the jack under the front. If I have to have the rear of the RT raised I lift the front first and put blocks under the front tires. Then I use a Hi-Lift jack to raise the back end by jacking under the hitch.

 

[CJ.RamMan]

Bob, what does the Spyder adapter look like for the pitbull lift? I was looking at their site but didn't see one.

 

[canamjhb]

I use the HF lift with no problems. It is a little tight fitting under the bike so I run the front wheels up on 2X8s and then slip the jack under the bike. Make sure it is in position to come into contact with only the frame. I find it stable enough to do routine rear tire and belt alignment without using additional jack stands. My rational is that if the jack were to suddenly fail, the bike will only drop an inch or two down onto the wheels. For "extended" work under the bike or when removing the wheels, I use jack stands in front and lower the rear wheel onto a 4X4. I have used the HF jack a couple dozen times without any problems. I would not use it to roll the bike around much or depend upon it solely for support for heavy duty work. But then I would treat any other jack manufacture the same. .....Jim

 

[JayBros]

My son has a HF lift he uses sometimes with his BMW R1200 GSA and the jack lowering mechanism is nowhere near as smooth as the Craftsman lift Gene has. I too have the Craftsman and the lifting and lowering is smoother than deer guts on a door knob. Yes, when you have the Spyder lifted the thing can seem wobbly but that's because of the small footprint of the lift and the distance above the floor. IMO the Craftsman was well worth the additional money.

 

[Bob L]

CJ, My apologies, mine is the J&S jack (similar to Pitbull) https://jsjacks.com/product/can-am-spyder-lift-adapter/

Bob, what does the Spyder adapter look like for the pitbull lift? I was looking at their site but didn't see one.

 

[NorCalBud]

Just another happy HF lift user here. I've had it for several years without incident. I had our RTL up on it yesterday. I would always recommend the use of jack stands no matter the brand of lift you're using!