by Joshua Thomas
As the name suggests, a motorcycle jack is a unique type of jack used to lift motorcycles for repairs, oil changes, cleaning, etc. It is made using heavy-duty metal materials like steel and has a stable base.
That said, these jacks have a decent weight capacity, which allows you to lift almost any motorcycle in the market. If you are looking for this tool, we have what you need!
We have reviewed some of the best motorcycle jacks on the market and give you our impressions below. Let us find out how well they perform.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Orion Motor Tech ZX09-08 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Extreme Max 5001.5044 (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. OTC 1545 (Best Brand) |
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 | 4. Black Widow MC-JACK (Best for Sport Bikes) |
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 | 5. Extreme Max 5001.5047 (Best Scissor Jack) |
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 | 6. Vivohome VH049 (Best Hydraulic) |
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 | 7. Extreme Max 5001.5038 (Heavy Duty) |
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A wide platform, heavy-duty construction, and safe design make Orion Motor Tech's ZX09-08 our best overall motorcycle jack.
The unit features an extra-wide 15.8 x 9.8-inch deck that makes it easy to find your motorcycle's center of gravity for better support and balance. Additionally, this deck is padded with premium rubber for extra stability and durability. It has a striped pattern that holds your bike steady and withstands dirt & grease.
Another benefit of this wide design is that it keeps the stands more stable because the base sits on a wide area on the ground. This design enhances its safety while a set of protective gloves keep your hands covered as you turn the T-handle wrench.
A heavy-duty carbon-steel body plus a steel sleeve make the jack very durable. The deck and base are coated in durable red paint that is highly resistant to grease, dirt, and oil. Connecting the two is a heavy-duty scissor lift system with thickened X-frame bars that form a sturdy backbone for raising your bike.
That said, the raising/lowering is done using a large-thread central screw, which is easy to use and does not slip. This screw lowers the deck down to a 3.75-inch height to fit under the lowest bike frames. As such, you can use it on street bikes, touring bikes, and cruiser bikes.
However, the unit is not ideal for dirt bikes because it raises to a maximum 13.4-inch height. Dirt bike frames are usually higher than this because they are for off-road use. Also, you don't get frame adapters to extend the lift height.
Note: Do not use an impact wrench in place of the metal sleeve to lift your bike. This may damage the jack.
Pros
Cons
The Extreme Max 5001.5044 is very reasonably priced for the features you get. This includes a wide 15.125 x 9-inch deck that holds your bike steady and is rubber padded to keep your bike from slipping or scratching when raised.
It has a heavy-duty steel frame that comprises a stable scissor-lift system. This system collapses to 3.375 inches and raises to a maximum of 14 inches, making it suitable for almost all kinds of touring bikes, road bikes, and cruisers.
A high-strength worm drive is used to do the actual lifting, and this has a self-braking mechanism that keeps the loaded jack safely positioned at any height.
Turning the worm drive screw requires a 7/8-inch impact wrench or socket, which is not inclusive. You must buy either one separately. The jack is also not ideal for lifting trikes because they are heavier than its 1100-lb weight capacity.
Pros
Cons
OTC has a long heritage of building service tools and shop equipment for close to 100 years. The company has a reputation for producing high-quality tools, with product value being at the center of its portfolio. This can be seen in the 1545 model, which is a high-quality motorcycle jack that gives you value for money.
The tool can lift 1,500 lbs. and has a low clearance of 3.5 inches to a high of 16.75 inches. This enables you to lift the lowest bikes and the largest, heaviest cruisers on the road with relative ease.
A large T-handle is included for easy maneuvering of the jack into position using its two locking rear caster wheels. This handle is removable to give you 360º access to your raised bike.
You also get two ratcheting tie-down straps for securing your motorcycle and a foot-pedal release for easy lowering of the hydraulic system. The only problem is that the tool is expensive, but it is worth the money and comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Pros
Cons
Black Widow's MC-JACK is the ideal jack to use for sport bikes because it is within their 3.75 - 16.25-inch lift range. Additionally, it comes with two removable adapters that fit perfectly on the belly of sport bikes and are adjustable to raise the height by 2 - 3.25 inches.
That said, these adapters are rubber padded on the lift-surface cradles to prevent slipping & scratches to your motorcycle, and you can use them to lift other types of bikes.
The jack is made using durable steel material and has a black powder coating for corrosion resistance. This construction includes a scissor-lift system and two welded feet that extend outwards from each side to enhance stability. You also get a hex socket handle for raising/lowering the system.
Overall, the unit weighs only 28 lbs. but can lift 1,100 lbs. This gives you an incredible weight to performance ratio. However, it has a narrow 6-inch non-padded deck that is slippery and can scratch your bike's paint if you remove the adapters.
Pros
Cons
The scissor-lift system in Extreme Max's 5001.5047 is made from heavy-duty steel, and it raises the deck from 3.625 - 16.5-inches, giving you a very wide lift-range. This system is complemented by a set of adjustable frame adapters, which add an extra 2 - 3.25 inches of lift.
All in all, this gives you a combined height of 19.75 inches, which is suitable for lifting most bikes. You can use the unit for front or rear lifting, and a T-handle is included for this.
That said, the top & bottom plates are also made using heavy-duty steel. The bottom one has a welded bracket on both sides for extra stability, and each one has a hole drilled through for permanent mounting to the floor. Therefore, if you want to fix a motorcycle in your garage, we highly recommend this.
However, the deck is very narrow (6 inches wide) and not padded. It is not very stable and can scratch your bike if you don't use the frame adapters.
Pros
Cons
If you are in the market for a hydraulic motorcycle jack, we highly recommend Vivohome's VH049. It has a foot pedal for raising the load with ease, while a secondary footplate lets you lower your bike without bending. Overall, this system can lift 1,500 lbs., making it suitable for motorcycles and ATVs.
A large, removable handle lets you maneuver the lifting platform to the right spot under your bike. This is made easier by two swivel caster wheels at the rear end.
Three safety pins are built-in to give you a secure fixing/resting position to prevent slipping. You also get leveraged lifting arms for smooth use and non-slip pads on the lifting platform to avoid accidents.
The jack is made using durable steel material and has a wide base for maximum stability. You also get two tie-down straps for securing your bike on the platform. On the downside, the minimum lift height in this unit is 4.5 inches. This cannot fit under very low bikes.
Pros
Cons
Extreme Max's 5001.5038 is a heavy-duty motorcycle jack because it is designed for extreme-lifting. It has a weight capacity of 1,700 lbs., which means you can lift any motorcycle or ATV. This is made possible by its hydraulic system, which raises the platform from 4.5 - 14.5 inches.
Another critical feature that makes it possible to lift such loads is the sturdy steel frame, which is powder-coated for corrosion resistance. You also get heavy-duty caster wheels and a long handle for easy maneuverability.
That said, the hydraulic system is operated by a set of foot pedals, which make it easy to use (without bending). The top one is for raising the platform, while the bottom one is for lowering it.
Three safety locks are welded to the frame to hold the platform securely at 9, 12, and 14.5 inches, respectively, without slipping. You also get rubber saddle pads to protect the paintwork, but at a minimum height of 4.5 inches, this jack cannot fit under very low bikes.
Pros
Cons
There are two main types of motorcycle jacks: hydraulic and scissor. Hydraulic jacks are easy to use, carry more weight, and raise the platform in a matter of seconds. However, these mechanisms are heavy and expensive.
On the other hand, scissor jacks are lightweight and more compact, but take a lot of time to raise the deck. They also require more effort to lift your bike and have a slightly lower weight capacity.
Buying Guide: If you have a small, lightweight bike such as a cruiser, sportbike, or dirt bike, a scissor jack will do. However, for heavy motorcycles like trikes, you need to get a hydraulic jack. That said, if you don't mind spending, we recommend the hydraulic type because it is superior.
This is the maximum weight that a motorcycle jack can lift. If you usually work on heavy bikes, consider getting a unit with a high weight capacity. In this case, Extreme Max's 5001.5038 is best.
However, if you only work on lightweight motorcycles, it is cheaper to pick a unit within its weight range.
Deck
A deck is a wide platform that makes it easy to find your bike's center of gravity. This section should be rubber-coated to prevent slipping and protect your motorcycle paint from scratches. The wider it is, the better.
Frame Adapter
Frame adapters are installed on the deck to create two small separate contact points instead of one large surface. These pieces are usually adjustable, giving you a few extra inches of lift. Since they are removable, we recommend them for versatility purposes.
The lift range tells you the minimum entry point, as well as the maximum height that the motorcycle jack will be able to lift your bike. If you have a very low bike, such as a cruiser, you need to buy a low-profile jack like Zeny's D1-1016.
On the other hand, for bikes with raised frames, such as dirt bikes, make sure you get a high-lift jack. All in all, the wider the lift-range, the better.
The build quality of a motorcycle jack determines its durability. For maximum durability, ensure the unit is made using high-strength material such as steel and is powder-coated for corrosion resistance.
Locking position is a critical feature in motorcycle jacks. This feature allows you to lock the platform in varying positions so that the bike's weight does not buckle the system inwards.
That said, there are newer models with automatic locking positions that secure the platform wherever scissors or hydraulic mechanism stops. This is more practical because it gives you safe stopping positions at any height.
Hydraulic motorcycle jacks are easy to use, especially due to their foot pedal operation. With scissor jacks, though, ensure they have center screws with large threads and large T-handle frames.
Safety is important when operating a motorcycle jack because bikes are quite heavy and can cause serious injury if they fall off.
Therefore, it is vital to ensure your jack is equipped with safety features such as rubber padding to prevent the motorcycle from slipping. Also, consider using straps to tie the bike firmly to the platform.
Extreme Max 5001.5044 1000 lbs. Motorcycle Scissors Jack - Wide - Walmart Link
ZENY 1100 LB Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack Hoist Stand Bikes ATVs Scooter Crank - Walmart Link
liftmaster 1100 LB Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack with Safety Pin Hoist Stand Bikes - Walmart Link
liftmaster Wide Deck Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack Hoist Stand Bikes ATVs - Walmart Link
BIG RED T64017 Torin Hydraulic Powersports Lift Jack (Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile): - Walmart Link
OTC 1545 Ultra Low Profile Motorcycle and ATV Lift with 1,500 lb. Capacity - Walmart Link
Orion Motor Tech Dilated Scissor Lift Jack for Street Bike, Cruiser, Adventure Touring - Walmart Link
Powerbuilt 620422E Heavy Duty 4000 lb Triple Lift Jack , Silver - Walmart Link
Orion Motor Tech's ZX09-08 - Walmart Link
The Extreme Max 5001.5044 - Walmart Link
Extreme Max 5001.5044 1000 lbs. Motorcycle Scissors Jack - Wide - eBay Link
ZENY 1100 LB Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack Hoist Stand Bikes ATVs Scooter Crank - eBay Link
liftmaster 1100 LB Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack with Safety Pin Hoist Stand Bikes - eBay Link
liftmaster Wide Deck Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack Hoist Stand Bikes ATVs - eBay Link
BIG RED T64017 Torin Hydraulic Powersports Lift Jack (Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile): - eBay Link
OTC 1545 Ultra Low Profile Motorcycle and ATV Lift with 1,500 lb. Capacity - eBay Link
Orion Motor Tech Dilated Scissor Lift Jack for Street Bike, Cruiser, Adventure Touring - eBay Link
Powerbuilt 620422E Heavy Duty 4000 lb Triple Lift Jack , Silver - eBay Link
Orion Motor Tech's ZX09-08 - eBay Link
The Extreme Max 5001.5044 - eBay Link
As you can see, Orion Motor Tech's ZX09-08 is the best of the best because it has a wide and stable 9.8-inch deck. This platform is rubber padded to keep your bike from slipping and protect its paintwork. The unit also has a heavy-duty carbon steel construction and includes a set of protective gloves.
If you want a hydraulic jack, though, we highly recommend Vivohome's VH049. It has foot pedals for easy use, a high 1,500-lb weight capacity, and three-position safety locks.
You should consider Extreme Max's 5001.5038 if you have a heavy bike. The tool has a heavy-duty design that can lift 1,700 lbs.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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