What ‘Bike Lift’ do you recommend?

[Desert viper_imp]

I have the 1000 pound Capacity Titan lift...$469 with free shipping....I installed a CONDOR wheel chock and 4 eye bolts for tie downs.

[Guth_imp]

While you're contemplating new lifts, I would recommend keeping an eye on the used market as well. I acquired my Handy lift via craigslist many years ago. It's a top-notch product that I highly recommend. I ended up purchasing the Handy lift for around the same price as a new Harbor Freight unit. Prior to the Handy lift I had a Kendon lift that I had also found on craigslist. The Kendon was an interesting design that could easily be moved around and stored upright against the wall when not in use. I passed the Kendon along to a friend after finding the Handy lift. It worked out great as I love the Handy lift while he was very limited on space at the time so the Kendon worked perfectly for him.

[Raceman_imp]

I have a HF lift that I have had for 10+ years that has served me well. It's ok if that is all you want to spend on a lift. About 5 years ago I found a used Handy lift with wings(extensions on the side) and highly recommend one. The wings make it more useful. You can work on mowers including zero turns and small ATV's.

[pekingduck]

The Handy Lifts were the best around for a long time, with heavy duty hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders. They even had an electric motor actuated model. New ones use an airbag, which makes them much lighter, but sometimes slides forward as you roll the bike on, and takes longer to lift.

The best feature about them is the multi-position ratcheting safety, which made it very secure. It is much more stable than an HF one. A good used one is the best value.

[j3gq_imp]

I am really stunned by the prices mentioned. A "heavy duty" lift is 4 arms, 4 rollers, a sheet metal platform (anti slip) and one or two cylinders, all of this being common DIY material found in any Home Dep. If you can do the welding, do it and have fun. If you can't have the local metal workshop do the welding - it's under 1 hour of their time.
The more you can do yourself, the cheaper it gets. Start with parts list and drawings, and invite your family on a trip to Vegas for the money saved. Good luck !

[Houtman_imp]

It is a bit more work than you think to make a good lift and yes I did two welding courses at a tech school both MIG and Stick welding and had my own Miller Mig welder when farming.

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

If you have a relative or a good friend who has one, you don't need your own. I use my BIL's and all is costs is a bottle of middle shelf bourbon. I'm heading out to my BIL's place to change the Honda oil and put tires on it very soon since I decided to keep it.

[j3gq_imp]

It is a bit more work than you think to make a good lift and yes I did two welding courses at a tech school both MIG and Stick welding and had my own Miller Mig welder when farming.

It's always a little more ...
but I wouldn't have said what I said, if I didn't knew how to build rigs.