Motorcycle Lift

I love ABBA stands but changed my bike and didn’t really need to move bike around while in the air - so sold mine to Chizel (previously of this parish) if you can find him he may be getting rid.

I got a Clarke one - It won’t move but are solid and reasonably priced. Can’t help otherwise sorry - no experience of other systems.

 

if you cant stretch to the skylift, the standard abba stand with the front wheel lift kit and the roller dolly would work well for what you describe. standard abba stands sell for about £35-50 2nd hand .
tbh i dont know how confident i would feel moving a bike around without both its wheels on with this setup unless your garage floor is very smooth and flat and level

if you can find a 1jac or bursig stand 2nd hand, and get a fitting kit for your bike that would be my choice. the fitting kits for these bikes usually have a sleeve thats left attached the bike

i'd stay away from the constands warrior copies of the 1jac/bursig stand

 

Used the skylift for the first time yesterday on the monster.This is the third bike that I've used it on over the years.
If you floor is not smooth buy a front wheel chock to run the bike in first.Makes life so much more easier.
Without a smooth floor it can be really challenging to use.

 

Lot more money but, https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cml3-air-foot-pedal-operated-hydraulic/. Invaluable ....... especially as you get older Andy

 

Then the Abba stand with wheel lift & dolly to wheel it about should be all you need.

Good to see you around here!

 

There is a constand for sale on here somewhere - Centre Lift - You do not say what bike its for.

https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/constand-central-bike-lift.82641/

 

I have the same one as Andy, would not part with it. Quite a bit cheaper over here tho.

 

One of my mates has recently bought a Skylift. The Abba Skylift is a great piece of kit, expensive, but worth it. It's well made & sturdy, but does have limitations. It's brilliant for times when you want to take both wheels out at the same time or singularly. It limits access to the side of your bike it mounts to, but you can work round that. Also, as has been said your garage floor plays a bit part in how easy it is to move around.
Ideally you could do with a proper hydraulic or air ramp & a Skylift, that way you'd be covered.
Probike do this ramp, which although might be out of your price range, but is great quality
https://probike.co.uk/lifts-stands/motorcycle-lifts/450kg-pneumatic-scissor-lift
Like a lot of things in life quality products cost money. I've seen somebody on this forum, I think, who was not impressed with the Machine Mart ramp.

If I had to choose between the Skylift or a ramp I think I might be inclined to go for the Skylift espicially if space is a bit limited.

 

Originally used the ‘conventional’ ABBA stand, but after a year or so, I bit the bullet and bought an ABBA skylift, as it got the bikes up higher and gave me some manoeuvreability within the garage. Spent some time scouring the forums for a secondhand one, but they a bit like rocking horse shit, so ended up buying new. Bought the fixing kit for both my GSA and Monster1200R, but leave the Monster on it over winter with both wheels off the ground - the GS has the centre stand so that not an issue. Like others have said, expensive but quality kit...

 

I have the Skylift for the 888, but only for when I am working on her. During the rest of the time, I have the 888 up on front and rear stands to take the pressure of the tyres, as it is easier to get the bike ready to ride using them. I wouldn't part with the Skylift, fo the times I want to get close up and personal with the lower parts of the bike.

 

for comfortable working and budget and space allows, a lift table is the way to go (but you cant roll it around with a bike on sadly.

i have one of these for many years and its pretty good for the money

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bike-PDSLIFT03-Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Workshop/dp/B002RB5Z32
the front wheel clamp is shit but i removed it and use with conventional paddock stands or an standard abba stand when doing swingarm/engine removal

 

Demon Tweeks sell these, which appear good value. I think you have to add on the cost of a suitable adaptor to suit your bike.
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/warrior-spider-stand-ubrst-smi2092-r/

 

I have a skylift and find it excellent for most operations. It can be restrictive on the sides of the bike around back brake, foot pegs etc Due to the ram and lift gear, but if you used a conventional paddock stand for that type of work it’s fine. It is mega sturdy and there is no flex when the bikes on or moved around on a semi good floor. A sheet of ply on the deck may work if you were in a barn etc. I also have an abbastand with front lift arm which are great for the money as there’s not even any weight on the suspension when in use but they are a static only use. I dropped a 916 with no wheels on last month though my own stupidity of trying to ease it out the way in the garage. No real damage bar paint scratched on the frame and a near heart attack lol. The abbastand is quite a simple affair and flexes easily if you start moving it about and can fall out the frame lugs. My verdict is if you spare the money, get the skylift and they hold their money so well if you were to sell it you would not have lost a fortune.

 

Here in France a lot of home mechanics buy medical beds that have an electric lift installed underneath, they then add a plate cover to allow use with motorcycles..

Cheers
Grant