motorcycle bench

[Dave c]

hi, I am thinking of getting a bench/ ramp and wandered if anyone could recommend one,thanks all

[Greybeard]

I have a full table hydraulic bench and love it! During my recent engine out and strip, I parked the bike out under the carport and used the hoist as a workbench.

[muskrat]

Same here, for about 10 years. Don't know how I managed for so long without it.
A few fellas here have made their own.
Cheers

[jachenbach]

If you can afford it, or can find a deal on a used one, the Handy Lift pneumatic is professional grade and stable for the heaviest bike. I have the one Musky pictured and it's fine for lighter bikes like our A10s and in the USA is only $300 at Harbor Freight (with a sale coupon). I don't personally trust it for anything much more than 500 pounds.

[Billybream]

Bought mine second hand about 2 years ago and so useful. Do major tasks with bike on it and it's height adjustable and park my bike on in for the winter lay up.
Decided my days of working on my bike kneeling down were over and looked into a hydraulic ramp bench. Plenty of choice, but what a lot of money. Did my usual thing and searched on EBay and found a KD version, this has sturdy box section frame and plywood top and lift is via 2 ton trolley jack, second hand but never been used and a little rusty. So bid and won it for £93.00, these benches are still made in Falkirk in Scotland and retail for just shy of £400.00 so well pleased.

[RoyC]

Mine is the scissor action foot operated hydraulic type.

[Greybeard]

...sturdy box section frame and plywood top and lift is via 2 ton trolley jack...

Sounds like the one I have. Foot operation would be nice. I have to put a foam kneeling pad on the floor so I can kneel down to operate it.

[muskrat]

The pic in my post ^^^ was just a quick pic off the net. Mine is identical to Roy's. It will lift a HD under protest but the rear wheel sits right on the ramp/table joint so the ramp is hard to get off. The next one I get will be air operated.
Cheers

[Kickaha]

Mine is a converted hospital bed, couple of friends have the same

[Greybeard]

Mine is a converted hospital bed, couple of friends have the same

Got a picture? I can't imagine what it looks like.

[PatM20]

I bought one from Clarke. It was a bit less than £500 and is great.

It has the slot for making wheel removal easy.

I went for the widest one I could, so that you can spread tools out on it.

All of them are really heavy, so make sure you have some help when it is delivered.

Once you have a lift, you will wonder why you didn't buy one years ago!

Regards

Pat

[RoyC]

My problem now is, I have to take the sidecar off every time I want to put the bike on the lift. 

[Greybeard]

My problem now is, I have to take the sidecar off every time I want to put the bike on the lift. 

Just buy a car lift. Simples!

[Dave c]

thanks for all your replies, sounds a worthwhile investment, its got to be better than rolling around on the shed floor! good idea about a wide one to put tools and bits on as well, also foot operation as well. just got to work out how to sneak it down the garden without the wife seeing it!

[RoyC]

just got to work out how to sneak it down the garden without the wife seeing it!

I don't think that you will be sneaking it anywhere, They arrive in a big crate and weigh a ton.