Tech tip, #1: Motorcycle lifts from Biltema

Motorcycles without a center stand present a challenge if they need to be jacked up from the ground. I have an old Harley-Davidson , and without a center stand, lifting the wheels off the ground has been more of a balancing act. Biltema now has the lift that solves the problem, allowing the bike to stand steady.

Several of the lifts that have been available on the market until now have been somewhat unstable in terms of keeping the bike steady, etc. Biltema has now solved this problem in a good way. I have tested the lift they refer to as "Miniløfter", both on my own Harley-Davidson , and not least on a Triumph Scrambler, a bike with a very high center of gravity. Both bikes stood briefly and well supported. The lifting surface is 150 x 450 mm, coated with rubber, and is placed under the frame tubes.

The scissor-type lift is easy to operate. However, it requires some force when lifting the bike, so I chose to use a ratchet with a 22 socket instead of the "key" that comes with it. It was a bit fiddly, and made jacking up unnecessarily heavy compared to using a ratchet or wrench. The lift weighs about 14 kg, and has external dimensions of about 87x40 cm. It lies stably on the surface, and for those who think that it can stand in the same place permanently, it can be screwed into the surface. This provides an even greater degree of stability. It also comes with 2 loose lifting blocks, which is smart if you have a motorcycle where, for example, the exhaust system or oil filter protrudes lower than the frame tubes.

The lifting height is 95-400 mm, and the maximum lifting capacity is a whopping 500 kg. Since the lift is mechanical and not hydraulic, it takes a lot for it to collapse if a motorcycle is on it over time. For only NOK 649,- you get a solid and functional mini lift, and the conclusion is that you get a lot for your money here. It is solid, stable, easy to operate, and takes up very little space.