Which front tire lift to buy

[60+ Busa Rider]

I’m thinking of buying a front tire lift for the purpose of cleaning the wheel and replacing the front tire when needed. I currently have a Baxley front tire chock and Pit Bull rear tire lift. Anyone prefer lifting from the fork bottoms or the center fork hole under the triple tree? Or should I spring for the Sky Lift? Thoughts? See my photo of my current setup.

 

[sixpack577]

I Hate fork leg lifts, they are unstable, and make it easy to knock a bike over.
They also aren't very useful, you can remove the wheel...great...and not much else.
Forklift stands that lift under the lower triple clamp are far superior.
As they allow you to remove the forks as well, and are much more stable.
I have no experience with the Abba Skylift, but it gets great reviews, including from members here.
I would like to have one.
I have had a Bursig stand for over a dozen years now, and used it on 3 different bikes(head stock pins need changed for different bikes), and it is excellent.
The bike comes on and off the Bursig in seconds(Skylift takes a few minutes).
Tire changes, suspension settings, and just moving the bike around the garage is so easy.
The suspension is also unloaded on the Bursig.
There are several good options, I just think fork leg stands aren't the best choice by far, but, to each their own.

 

[60+ Busa Rider]

I Hate fork leg lifts, they are unstable, and make it easy to knock a bike over.
They also aren't very useful, you can remove the wheel...great...and not much else.
Forklift stands that lift under the lower triple clamp are far superior.
As they allow you to remove the forks as well, and are much more stable.
I have no experience with the Abba Skylift, but it gets great reviews, including from members here.
I would like to have one.
I have had a Bursig stand for over a dozen years now, and used it on 3 different bikes(head stock pins need changed for different bikes), and it is excellent.
The bike comes on and off the Bursig in seconds(Skylift takes a few minutes).
Tire changes, suspension settings, and just moving the bike around the garage is so easy.
The suspension is also unloaded on the Bursig.
There are several good options, I just think fork leg stands aren't the best choice by far, but, to each their own.

View attachment 1659811

View attachment 1659812

Thanks and I will take your advice and rule out the forklift as I don’t need my setup to be unstable. I’m now going to decide between the triple tree, Bursig and Skylift

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

I got this one and it works just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CX7L1LA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Bumblebee]

I Hate fork leg lifts, they are unstable, and make it easy to knock a bike over.
They also aren't very useful, you can remove the wheel...great...and not much else.
Forklift stands that lift under the lower triple clamp are far superior.
As they allow you to remove the forks as well, and are much more stable.
I have no experience with the Abba Skylift, but it gets great reviews, including from members here.
I would like to have one.
I have had a Bursig stand for over a dozen years now, and used it on 3 different bikes(head stock pins need changed for different bikes), and it is excellent.
The bike comes on and off the Bursig in seconds(Skylift takes a few minutes).
Tire changes, suspension settings, and just moving the bike around the garage is so easy.
The suspension is also unloaded on the Bursig.
There are several good options, I just think fork leg stands aren't the best choice by far, but, to each their own.

View attachment 1659811

View attachment 1659812

I have the fork leg stand and the triple tree yoke stand....I use the fork leg stands most of the time as I like to have a load on the front suspension when it's stored.

I have never had any issues with stability using them....they have held up the front of many bikes as I have had them since the early 2000's.

 

[Robert 0046]

I would like one than fits the shocks from the botom part ive seen some call them pin lift

 

[HayaWakened]

Pitbull makes one stand that does either - lift from the forks or from the head. Fork lift (rubber pads) setup works well as a rear lift for other (smaller) bikes you might have in inventory FYI

 

[sixpack577]

I have the fork leg stand and the triple tree yoke stand....I use the fork leg stands most of the time as I like to have a load on the front suspension when it's stored.

I have never had any issues with stability using them....they have held up the front of many bikes as I have had them since the early 2000's.

Why do you want the suspension loaded during storage?

 

[60+ Busa Rider]

This is all great info

 

[Bumblebee]

Why do you want the suspension loaded during storage?

Just so it matches the rear....LOL!

I was once told by an old mechanic years ago that it's better to load them than to hang them so I've always loaded them.

If it was sitting on the side stand in storage, it would be loaded....I guess a stand like a Bursig or similar would be the pinnacle of unloaded suspension and I've never heard of any negative effects from them.

I guess it's an old guy habit.

 

[sixpack577]

Just so it matches the rear....LOL!

I was once told by an old mechanic years ago that it's better to load them than to hang them so I've always loaded them.

If it was sitting on the side stand in storage, it would be loaded....I guess a stand like a Bursig or similar would be the pinnacle of unloaded suspension and I've never heard of any negative effects from them.

I guess it's an old guy habit.

You could've gave me 100 scientific reasons!
...but nothing beats "so it matches" and "it's an old guy habit"!
lmao

 

[TonyM995]

The front wheel speed sensor gets in the way of a forklift on the Gen 3. On other bikes I use a forklift and they are perfect unless you’re trying to remove the forks.

I went and snapped these pics just for you guys.

Wheel sensor removed:

 

[Fernando]

Pit Bull

 

[b15ke]

Pit Bull

Are there any clearance issues with the Pitbull Headlift - using the pin under the triple tree?

 

[HayaWakened]

On mine [Gen2] there are due to a lowered front end via bar riser. My usual solution is to raise the front end via straps at the bars over garage rafters ... maybe a couple inches, I've never measured ... which grants the room needed to place the head pin without damaging fender, etc.

 

[sixpack577]

You can also roll the front wheel on to a 2x4 for extra height to line up the lift arm.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

I have a fork lift stand but dont use it much, PITA having to remove the front guard/fender bolts to raise the guard/fender enough to remove the wheel.
I'd really like a head/lower yoke centre stand but I have a good lift/ramp and I use it all the time.
That's my 2 cents.

 

[JGH]

I have the Abba Front & Rear Package 2. Combines the Superbike Stand and Front Lift Arm. Ships direct for $315 (includes fitting kit and 8mm spool adaptor). I use it for detailing and general service. Easy one person operation - weight the rear foot peg and pull up on strap to get the front wheel off the ground. Very secure and stable once setup. Great quality, highly recommend.

 

[JGH]

 

[Vanishing Point]

Abba Sky Lift Wheely Picture from UK