Abba sky lift review | What tools do you need for a motorcycle?

[@barryroberts2474]

I bought one a couple of months ago, absolutely brilliant. I have brick paving where I work and it copes fine moving it around. All the good things you said! I'm 70 so got it to keep the MT10 at a good working height. Best thing I've bought for the bike.

[@deadbugdavey1744]

I have one of these. I started with a superbike lift and loved it so much I bought a second one. But the day came when I bought a skylift and I must say its an amazing bit of kit! I trust ABBA stands completely and will continue to purchase thier products

[@sweatmachine69]

I'm on the fence between the superbike lift (the "package 3" with the front and rear option along with the little cart), and the Sky Lift. The cost difference is basically double. I have a Versys 1000, in case it matters. Having owned both, would you recommend just going for the Sky Lift?

[@phils2180]

I bought one of these a few years ago for my ZZR1400 and wonder how I ever managed without it! My garage is similar to yours in size, perhaps just a tad bigger, with 3 bikes in it so the Skylift comes into it’s own. Best £400 I ever spent.👍

[@derekgray7716]

Amazing piece of kit, I've got the superbike stand and the tyre changing kit which are also amazing, but now time to break it gently to the Mrs that this is a must for my needs. Cheers dudes. Keep up the good work ✊🏻👍🏻

[@leehenty3777]

I started with the superbike lift and front lift attachment but this is a different level. Best thing I’ve ever had

[@pgVeritas]

I have a chopped up concrete drive, which I should really get round to repairing. I run my Sky Lift on a 9mm thick sheet of plywood which cost me £35 from Wickes. I put 3 coats of Cuprinol on it and I can wash my bike on it. As I am a reverse biker (I commute to my work in the Winter/Spring, and go out a few times a month in the Summer) I use it to get under my RT to keep it clean. Last weekend I had my RT up, with the lower fairings off as I sprayed XCP (thanks John!) on my Option 719 engine covers. My commuting to London started on Monday, so thank God I XCPd the engine covers. It bucketed down and the M1 is still shite. The A509 is buggered too, so what should be 65 miles in around 70mins was 95mins is p1ssing down rain. The Abbastand was a luxury I treated myself too when I got my RT in Nov '22. I sneaked it in under my agreed £22k spend out of pension lump, but even though it's an infrequent use, it's truly a great and useful piece of kit. It's also one of the few British products that is made properly and to the standards we used to be known for. It's not cheap, but if you're like me with arthritis, it's easy to get it up to comfortable working/cleaning heights too.....I also splashed on a Brühl Twin Turbo blower which is another fantastic product.

[@keithmays5392]

I've had the Abba Skylift for nearly 3 years and it's absolutely the best for working on or storing a bike with the maneuverability. Before that I used their superbike stand, but this was an upgrade.

[@tommoso55]

Yep fantastic bit kit. I find it’s a lot easier loading the bike onto the stand by using a front wheel chock , saves messing about with the balancing act.

[@ryanmalone2681]

I have a 3 car garage, 2 bays of which are full of bikes, and I just bought one in order to do my own maintenance and mods. Looks like a must-have for working on more then 1 bike, especially after my hip replacement.

[@V8HiluxZX6R]

I remember my G2, first bike I had a 17 with a restrictor fitted for all of a month before it came out... first accessory you buy is the the rear light thong... love how you've kept this one looking stock (bodywork wise) expect for the rear thong! Such a simple piece that makes a massive difference to the look. Also the days of having to buy a rear hugger, honestly why they have never always been a stock item blows my mind.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

The thong was on there when I got it, but it just looks kinda right. Lovely bikes! Cheers, John

[@Magicinstalls]

My best tool in my garage! Absolutely brilliant! The only thing that I will change are the wheels I don't know why they would even think of using plastic wheels on this unit with a 500 pound motorcycle. I have a feeling once I change the wheels out it will roll much better. I just have to find a set with good brakes on it because I do wash my bike on an unlevel surface in the driveway

[@1sickkidd9]

Thanks for this video! I’ve been interested in these stands and how they get the bike up. And a customers review of it.

[@zzzpip]

I work on my Hayabusa on the sky lift money well spent. a good addition is a tool tray that clip on the lift.

[@seahawkgreenblue6085]

Do you need to relieve the pressure from the jack pump after locking it in with the pin? Is it bad to keep it pressurized?

[@jaydasupreme1]

Can you use the skylift to store your bike (winterize), as oppose to storing your bike for the winter using 2 separate (front & rear) bike stands?... its obvious I'm a noob, & don't know squat about bikes. That said I've just recently purchased a brand new 2021 Yamaha MT-10.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yes - this also means you can move it around the garage easily while it's not in use. Cheers, John

[@jaydasupreme1]

@@bennettsbikesocial excellent news, thanks for your expeditious response

[@rickp9946]

I asked at the MCN show how tight you need to wind the winder in - hardly at all said the rep, just two or three turns. You seemed to do about 10! But they are brilliant - love mine.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah - I just can't help myself!

[@hughiemg2]

That does look like an impressive bit of kit!

[@gabivlad7505]

nice work with the video, one question : is it possible to lift the bike from the other side? so you can easily work on the chain and sprockets? Thank you!

[@danielzegler4156]

I have wondered the same thing!

[@brettsampson77]

No you can't, but I've had no trouble working on chain and sprockets. (Zx10r)

[@cp4512]

I’ve got a Bursig stand. It’s excellent too and simpler to use too.

[@charlesscottkelly]

If u put the bike in wheelie mode ,can u get it turned round in a tight garage. My garage is only 1900mm wide, and at the bottom of a long gravel downhill slope(in other words nightmare)

[@dalehawkes1698]

Just got one been thinking about it for ages it’s brilliant should of got it years ago 🏍👍👍

[@SptifireAce]

I've got the same zx-6r. I wonder, could you do a review on this old girl? I'm curious what your thoughts are

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'm working on a written one that I'll be adding to shortly... John www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/kawasaki/kawasaki-zx-6r-g2-1999-owner-review-maintenance

[@schigara]

Looks like the same ram that fits any engine hoist. I just bought a ram from HF las year that is air over hydraulic for about 70 dollars. I will do the same when I buy this lift for my bikes. Hooking up to shop air and pulling a lever is so much better that pumping that ram!

[@pags1981]

Old school ZX6R, wanted that bike so bad in the 90s..

[@KubuśpuchatekTVN]

I wanted that bike in 2010s, but in Poland it's impossible to get that bike in decent condition.

[@raptorpome2577]

​@WhiteLivesMatterPL why don't you import one from another country 🎉

[@Miguel-hw8hj]

how difficult is it to get them in the super tilted positions? also is there a locking mechanism should the jack fail? Thanks

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I don't think it's hard to get in position, and yes - there's a pin that goes through in three positions that takes all the load off the hydraulics.

[@mt-09nz98]

You mentioned it’s best for smooth surfaces. What about garage carpet? Any issues?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Unless it's shag pile, it should be fine.

[@megcrust7327]

Wish my Dad offered to buy me something like that, I did inherit sciatica from him so that's something I suppose...

[@davidpierce7318]

Snap ain’t bulging disc just the best

[@Miguel-hw8hj]

@@davidpierce7318 hey can i join the bad back club too. ex docker here shifted 200 tonnes a day in a team of 3 for 15 years!

[@mmm4638]

Do I need different pins or one fits most sports bikes?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It depends on the bike, but I do need to use different ones for the Grom, VFR and ZX-6R

[@steve34416]

Brilliant piece of kit

[@russwatson]

Combine it with a front chock and its so easy to get the bike on one. Makes life safer if like me you have a bad back.

[@DavidM2002]

All of the videos that I've seen have the main part of the lift on the left side of the bike. Is there any reason why is can't be installed from the right side ?

[@brettsampson77]

It's because the bike would be facing the wrong way for the strap attachments to be fixed allowing for required angle of bike 👍

[@AceHardy]

Taking notes 📝

[@tommoso55]

Yep absolutly brilliant bit of kit..

[@nickmay9289]

I’m just trying to figure out what did y’all that Z X 6R😅

[@pgVeritas]

Hi John, What sort of discount do they offer at the Bike show?

[@cyclopops]

I bought one from motorcycle live a couple Sundays ago and paid £400.

[@pgVeritas]

@@cyclopops Shit, I paid full wack. I rang them before the show and asked if they’d discount it and they said no. I wasn’t impressed.

[@cyclopops]

@@pgVeritas that’s not good, I feel for ya.

[@nateryan7041]

Does this lift work for Harley Davidsons

[@siiera1177]

They do one for cruisers too

[@michalispolyzos]

Great video! Thank you! I would like to know the story behind that sticker of the greek magazine MOTO on your tool chest... :-)

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Blimey... good spot! I'm afraid I can't tell you anything exciting. For years I worked on the UK motorcycle mags - Bike, RiDE, MCN, MSL and MCM - I think when I was on Bike we used to get mag from all over the world, and I must have nabbed the sticker then. Cheers, John

[@michalispolyzos]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks John! I’m Greek you see, so this caught my eye instantly! :) Keep up the (really) great work you are doing! Michael!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@michalispolyzos Thanks SO much! All the very best, John

[@lillnemo1]

I always wonder why they didn't use a "axle" through the swingarm axle, that way the bike wouldn't be able to fall over...

[@salisburyplain998]

That strap is the weak link ,that let's go your in a world of damage or am I mistaken?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Its breaking strain way exceeds what it needs to stand up to. I've been using this for years now with no trouble. Cheers, John

[@כספיאתכספי]

Amazing zx-r mint

[@tinynallos4454]

Is this universal for all naked and sport bikes???

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It covers a lot of bikes, but you'll need the adaptor to fit your machine: abbastands.co.uk/

[@harmonyvision2445]

How much cost and how can avail ??

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Check out the description - the link is there. John

[@Supernova12034]

If it can take a big nikken up, I imagine it'll work fine with a big adventure bike as well...

[@nonrevecnirp]

How do i get my hands on one?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

abbastands.co.uk

[@gbjoo8]

Just need an axle through the swingaxle instead of those pins

[@bm7760]

They need to make this suitable for Moto Guzzi. We're feeling a bit left out...

[@ourmanf1int]

I bought Abba Superbike stand for my 2007 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 but now I've sold the bike and bought a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650....and there are no fitting kits! One of the most popular motorcyle brands in the world and no suitable fitting kits.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Give them a call - I bet one of them fits

[@ourmanf1int]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks, I'll try that. Certainly a big market for them.

[@gustav901]

Not as expensive as I thought, £450.

[@michaelsalzer4362]

Nice stand but damn that is a lot of foot pedal pumping just to get the bike chest high!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It's worth the few seconds of effort though...

[@karlosh9286]

Well because it's an ABBA stand ... My my at maintenance time my patience did surrender yeah yeah And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way The Haynes manual on the shelf Is always repeating itself Engine swap I was defeated you won the war Engine swap promise to do it off the floor Engine swap couldn't escape if I wanted to Engine swap knowing my fate is to refit you Engine swap finally facing my Engine Swap ... sorry to Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid of Abba for ruining their song :)

[@tomdickharryjane]

Excellent, not ruined.

[@karlosh9286]

@@tomdickharryjane thanks :)

[@desmondloh6856]

why am i watching this? i don't even own a superbike

[@jimsadler8704]

Nice gadget. Pity about the illegal number plate on the bike. You should know better.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It's horrific, isn't it?! Fortunately the bike is SORN; I bought it, put it straight in the van, got it back and immediately started taking it to pieces. Yep... no test ride, which goes against all the advice we'd usually give. In my defence, I do know the seller, and the point of buying the bike is to use it for a series of DIY maintenance features. Before this thing hits the road (which will be to go for its first MoT in years), I'll be fitting a proper plate to it. John

[@TrulyUniqueOne]

Shut up