Thanks Clint55! I am sold on the Pitbull. Its not THAT much more and I just went to the garage, sat on my work stool at its highest setting and took a tape and measured (simulated) where the bike would set height wise with both jacks. I think the extra lift is PERFECT and will eliminate any unneeded bending which after an evening of wrenching begins to catch up with you!

 

Since your asking for jack advice the HF lift is safe, sturdy and a great value and looks just like the rest of them. If your going to spend that much $ on a lift just get a full table lift? Just because it costs more doesn't mean its better ....my. 02c

 

Funny thing about the pitbull. I've got an older one my Dad gave me and it won't go under the Road King or the Shovel. I have to lift up the rear of it then when I slide it under the frame and let it back down it will lift up the bike a bit before I start cranking on it. Anyone else have this problem? I've looked at it and I don't see any way to get it any lower than it is.

 

Try putting a small section of a 2x4 under the kickstand before jacking the bike up. That should give you the necessary clearance.

 

No room for a lift.

 

I have both. A HandyLift table (not cheap) and a cheapo jack (a new jack is somewhere in my future). They both have their place.

Changing tires and such is much easier on a jack. Routine maintenance such as fluid changes are easier on the table.

But if I could only have one or the other, I think a top-of-the-line jack is probably more versatile and that's the route I would go.

One other thing... I've seen some really nice table lifts by K&L that have both front and rear drop-out panels. These are probably the most versatile of all lifts/jacks, but they are some big bucks - If I remeber correctly, in the 2-4 grand neighborhood.

 

I broke down a few years ago and saved the moey and got this table.
Use it all the time.

http://www.completehydraulic.com/lif...ycle-tcml.html

 

I have had both the J&S and the Pitbull. I had them both at the same time. The extra lift of the pitbull is nice, however the larger footprint of the lift takes up precious floor space. Either one enables you to remove wheels and sit on the bikes without stability issues. I also had the larin lift which is similar to the H.F. lift or craftsman. The difference is so big its like comparing a Yugo to a Surburban. Long story short I still have the J&S and the others got sold.

 

A friend of mine purchased the J&S and I got to use it to change out the fluids on my '09 Road King which has been lowered about 1" maybe a bit more. The J&S fit under the frame while the bike was on the kick stand. It was a bit close, but there was sufficient room. That would not have been possible with a Pitbull. All-in-all, I like the J&S enough that I will buy one when funds permit. I will also get the drain pan, plus HD sells an adapter for the oil filter to catch oil so that it does not end up on the bike. I'll get that also.

I took a serious look at the Pitbull and it is an excellent choice with the extended height. But, I just don't want to have to put the bike up on a 2x4 to get started lifting. The J&S will do that for me. All the drain plugs are readily accessible with the J&S, but you do work from the ground on draining fluids. I even started the bike up while it was on the stand and there was no problems at all and there were no straps either. From a garage floor, the bottom of the bike is easily accessible when up on the J&S. We also used a small stool to sit on when checking fluid levels and making some other adjustments. An 18" rise while not as impressive as a 25" rise, is still high enough to get serious work done. The cross members of the J&S do not get in the way of accessing the various drain plugs. I don't k now the story on the Pitbull, but I have read the double brace can present issues, though that sounds more urban myth than truth. If you can get a fluid drain kit for the Pitbull, I would suggest you include that with your initial purchase. Sorry for getting long-winded.

 

I placed my order for Pitbull yesterday. They said 2 weeks. I guess they build them as they are ordered?