Is it OK to lift a 2017 RT at the receiver hitch?

[nevadabob]

Planning my first oil change. Have front ramps but need to lift the rear to get the bike level. Any thoughts?

 

[racoon]

Back it onto a vehicle ramp before lifting the front?

 

[nevadabob]

Thanks racoon...Not sure how I'd lift the front if that were the case. Thought I saw a video re lifting at the receiver hitch.

 

[K80Shooter]

I have never heard of anyone doing that and I certainly would not do it myself.
If you insist on doing it this way, then you really need to post which hitch that you have as there are many different brands and most are made differently.

Why not lift it from underneath where you are supposed to? I do understand that some people just can't get down that low if that's the case.

 

[Isopedella]

Ramps and Replacement sump Plugs.

There are many posts on the plugs stripping when doing oil and filter changes.
My 1st change I snapped the tool...thankfully.... as it was so tight.

WOT. Then I looked up online about tight plugs. Wow.
I took to it with a rubber hammer. Managed to get it out intact.

Oh so pleased I obtained some aftermarket plugs with more robust tool fittings.

 

[2dogs]

Planning my first oil change. Have front ramps but need to lift the rear to get the bike level. Any thoughts?

Yes, back up onto the front ramps and ratchet strap at least one of the front tires to the ramp so your spyder won't accidentally move. I use a small floor jack with a short piece of 2x6 under the rear shock and swingarm to raise the rear tire to a level position. Gold plugs are a good replacement for those (dam) OEM plugs. Don't forget one OEM plug is torx and the other is hex, DON'T STRIP THEIR HEADS OUT, as many other folks have. You'll be upside down so remember, righty tightey and lefty loosely. Good luck, have fun. Oh, by the way, do not lift your spyder using the receiver hitch! It is designed for holding down pressure only, not lifting pressure.

 

[JayBros]

If you drive the Spyder onto the ramps, frontwards or backwards, and look underneath where the crankcase drain plug is you will see it's on the rearward side of the engine. Don't worry about the fact that the rear wheel is on the garage floor and the bike isn't level. Drain the oil, change the filter, reinstall the drain plugs, fill the engine with the proper amount of oil and light it off. Check to make certain there are no leaks and back it off the ramps. Let the engine run until the fans cycle twice, turn it off and check the oil level IAW your owners manual and you will be fine. Button up the Tupperware and go for a ride. That method has worked fine for me for 90K+ miles.

 

[Mikey]

:agree: But if you want it level I just put my floor jack back as far back on the frame towards the front of the muffler, and the end of frame as you can get and jack it till its level. Put a safety stand or a block of wood under the wheel if it makes you feel good, me I just go for it!

 

[ulflyer]

Ditto what JayBros said above. I like to put 4 1/2 qts or so in till its been run, then top off as needed. Usually there is only a little bit left in the can.