How to Jack Up a Motorcycle Safely
A motorcycle jack lifts the bike off the ground for chain, tire and brake work, and the lifts here cover scissor jacks and paddock stands for garage use.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Nilight Motorcycle Lift Jack 1100 LBS Scissor9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
SOARSHARK Aluminum Motorcycle Scissor Lift Jack9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Garvee 900LBS Heavy Duty Motorcycle Front and Rear9.5/10View on Amazon
When the chain needs lube and the rear wheel will not turn freely, the bike has to come off the ground. Learning how to jack up a motorcycle starts with the lift point: a scissor jack lifts from below, and paddock stands lift the wheels. The lifts below cover each way.
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Nilight Motorcycle Lift Jack 1100 LBS Scissor
A steel scissor lift jack with a 1100 lb capacity, a wide 8.7 by 14.2 inch platform and safety pins for motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs.
Pros
- 1100 lb capacity for motorcycles and dirt bikes
- Wide 8.7 by 14.2 inch platform with rubber pads
- Safety pins reduce the likelihood of falls
- 2 year warranty, the longest term here
Cons
- 22.0 lb, the heaviest jack here
- Crank handle only, with no socket wrench in the box
- No wheels for moving the jack around the garage
- Steel build needs a wipe after oily work
SOARSHARK Aluminum Motorcycle Scissor Lift Jack
An aluminum scissor lift jack with a 1100 lb capacity, an M16 lead screw, 2 reinforcing shafts and rubber pads for dirt bikes, cruisers and ATVs.
Pros
- 1100 lb capacity with an aluminum build
- M16 T-type lead screw of 45# steel
- 7 safety holes for flexible height locking
- Socket wrench and 3/8 inch drive socket included
Cons
- No lift height range stated
- Needs a flat bottom on the bike
- Manual socket wrench only, with no crank handle
- No rear wheel lift; the jack lifts from below only
Garvee 900LBS Heavy Duty Motorcycle Front and Rear
A front and rear paddock stand set with a 900 lb capacity, adjustable stands and casters for most motorcycles, bikes and ATVs.
Pros
- Lifts front and rear wheels together
- Front stand adjusts from 7.6 to 11 inch
- Rear stand adjusts from 7.87 to 13.1 inch, or 7.87 to 16.93 inch with prong adapters
- 1 year warranty, stated on the listing
Cons
- 900 lb capacity, lower than the 1100 lb jacks
- No safety pins or height locks stated
- Rear stand needs swingarm spools
- Folds for storage, so it needs setting up each time
What a motorcycle jack does
A motorcycle jack lifts the bike off the ground so the wheels, chain and brakes can be reached. A scissor jack lifts from below with a crank handle or lead screw, and paddock stands lift the front and rear wheels, with the rear stand using prongs and swingarm spools. The bike must sit stable on the lift before any work starts, and the scissor jacks hold the height with safety pins or safety holes.
Scissor jacks vs paddock stands
A scissor jack lifts the bike from below on a platform, and the Nilight and SOARSHARK jacks lift 1100 lb each. Paddock stands lift the front and rear wheels, and the Garvee set lifts 900 lb with front and rear stands. The SOARSHARK jack suits a bike with a flat bottom, while paddock stands suit a bike with swingarm spools.
| Type | How it lifts | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Scissor jack | Platform lifts the bike from below | Nilight and SOARSHARK jacks |
| Paddock stands | Stands lift the front and rear wheels | Garvee set |
The gear: motorcycle jacks for garage use
The lift steps above need the jacks in these sets, so pick the lift that matches the bike in front of it.
How to jack up a motorcycle
Start with the lift point. For a bike with a flat bottom, slide the scissor jack under the frame and turn the crank handle or lead screw to raise the bike. The Nilight jack lifts from 3.4 to 14.2 inch, and the SOARSHARK jack locks the height with 7 safety holes. For a bike with swingarm spools, set the front and rear paddock stands and lift the front and rear wheels. The rear stand uses the swingarm spools. The Garvee front stand adjusts from 7.6 to 11 inch, and the rear stand adjusts from 7.87 to 13.1 inch with the L-shaped fork. Never use an impact wrench or powered drill on the Nilight jack. Never get under a bike that rests on a jack only, and check the bike is stable before any work starts. See the best motorcycle jack for the money guide and the paddock stand vs motorcycle lift stand guide for the lift types.
Then match the lift to the bike. The Nilight and SOARSHARK jacks lift 1100 lb each, and the Garvee set lifts 900 lb. The SOARSHARK jack weighs 16.0 lb, the Garvee set weighs 20.72 lb, and the Nilight jack weighs 22.0 lb. See the jacks and stands hub for the garage setup.
Read the manual before first use, wear eye protection, keep the work area clear and ventilated, and stay within every stated rating. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Stay within the stand or lift's rated capacity, set it on hard, level ground, engage the safety lock and strap the bike before you work on it. Never rely on a jack alone to hold the bike. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
Can I jack up a motorcycle with a scissor jack?
Yes. Slide the scissor jack under the frame and turn the crank handle or lead screw to raise the bike. The Nilight jack lifts from 3.4 to 14.2 inch.
What is the difference between a scissor jack and paddock stands?
A scissor jack lifts the bike from below on a platform, while paddock stands lift the front and rear wheels. The Garvee set lifts the front and rear wheels with front and rear stands.
How much weight do these jacks lift?
The Nilight and SOARSHARK jacks lift 1100 lb each, and the Garvee set lifts 900 lb.
Do I need a flat bottom for a scissor jack?
The SOARSHARK jack suits bikes with a flat bottom, and the Nilight jack fits motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs. Check the frame shape before buying.
Can I use an impact wrench on a scissor jack?
Not on the Nilight jack. The Nilight jack is operated with the included crank handle, and the maker states not to use an impact wrench or powered drill on the lift.
Related: motorcycle stands, universal motorcycle paddock stands and our jacks and stands hub.
