I know the J&S is out of your budget but my two cents would be to wait a little longer until is becomes affordable and go that route as well. You won't be disappointed.

 

I probably wouldn't be lifting my 28K bike with an "affordable" lift. Sounds risky. I've heard nothing but good things on the J&S.

 

I have the Red and Yellow Sears Jacks.

The Yellow is great and quick but the Red is very stable. I will say I don't use it in the dirt or move the bike around while it's up.
There are a bunch of great jacks out there but I can't see paying more for any of them. I'm not a pretend bike builder or anything. I just change oil etc.

Red is going on 9 years old - no problems. Think I paid like 80 bucks.
Yellow is around 6 with no problems.

lp

 

the jack itself is made in the us. they use a chinese hydraulic because there are no affordable us hydraulics. they do carry a 2 yr warranty on the bottle jack, and a lifetime warranty on the rest of the lift.

its worth it.

 

+4 on the J&S. Borrowed a friends HF one day to service and clean my Heritage. Gave it back to him the next day and ordered a J&S. I have had mine for 4 years and cant say enough about it. Thing is rock solid, does exactly what they claim, and gives me piece of mind when I'm under it. Money may be tight, but you can find deals out there for sure.

 

$100 bucks to hold up your $20,000 motorcycle not me.
You can't find a better more stable lift than J&S builds. Cost $400 bucks but you don't wonder if it will hold your bike you know it will.

 

I've had a sears "red" jack for several years. I've used it on my Heritage with no issues.

Now that I also have an Ultra, I'm not as confident in the jack. It will lift and hold the Ultra, but it surely isn't as stable as the Heritage when in the air.

I believe the Ultra is about 150lbs heavier than the Heritage.

I'm looking for a good (1500lb capacity) table lift. I just don't trust that jack for anything other than detailing the Ultra.

 

I bought the Sears yellow lift. Actually bought the red one a few hours prior and exchanged for the Yellow. Didn't get a warm fuzzy about the red lift when I started to put it together.

If you have the time though (sounds like you do) I'd be looking at the local want-ads for a good deal on a higher line lift.

 

I had a J&S lift and threw it into the deal when I sold my 2010 street glide. I was getting a BMW so I figured I didn't need the lift anymore. So here I am three years later with a new Road King and the first thing I bought for it, another J&S jack. Still kicking myself for giving the last one away but it's worth every penny (twice).

 

Another vote fo rthe J&S. I debated for weeks before spending the money on it. Those weeks were weeks wasted.

Right after I got the jack I put floor board extensions on my Limited. The one bolt that held the right board on was stripped from the factory. I had a Hell of a time getting that bolt out.
The Bike was on the J&S at full height the whole time that I was pulling like Hell on the wrench to get that bolt out. No tie downs... the Bike didn't move.
I knew that day that the J&S was worth the money.

Throw in that it's USA made by great guys and has a lifetime warranty.... no brainer.