Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 06, 2025 ...

Motorcyle lift

September 12, 2013, 11:32:19 pm

Met a couple here from North of Tyler, Tx, they just got their Dynasty back from Foretravel as Foretravel is the dealer for "Hydro Lift".  This is a heavy duty motorcycle lift (hydraulic) so they purchased it and had it installed by Foretravel.  They have a large Goldwing Bike and it just lifts it up and they can tow a jeep behind as well.  Anyone interested in such a thing might call Foretravel.  DAN

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #1 – September 13, 2013, 07:07:47 am

Now thats a good idea,

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #2 – September 13, 2013, 09:43:37 am

I saw that coach at FOT right after the bike was loaded on the new lift.  Wayne was out discussing the setup before they drove off.  Looked very substantial and a tag is a must have for that.

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #3 – September 13, 2013, 09:54:49 am

I think Dave Cobb has one for sale

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #4 – September 13, 2013, 10:35:11 am

Yes, going to sell my lift.  It is a different design.  Blue Ox brand, Sport Lift, a lifting platform lift, that will pick up 1000#, and allows you to flat tow off the rear of the platform 5000#.  It slips into the trailer hitch, and two additional 2" receivers welded to the frame rails. 

It lowers to the ground for easy and safe loading, is a large platform, and could carry a large bike, like a HD, or Goldwing, or smaller scooters, or a huge BBQ for fun.  I have sold my BMW, R1200GSA, changed coaches, and trying to reorganizing my rolling stock fleet.

Link to photos of the lift: 

lift - sailwing's Photos

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #5 – September 13, 2013, 07:54:56 pm

You sold your bike? Are you sick or something? So what's next?

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #6 – September 13, 2013, 08:31:32 pm

I carry my BMW R1150R with a Cruiserlift-a cable winch design with a 1000# capacity as well.  It's performed well for three years.  I rides high out of all the road dirt.  The lift itself is half the weight of the Hydralift with simple parts you can get at an farm supply store.

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #7 – September 13, 2013, 08:41:07 pm

I am amazed the GV, think you had the 240 series, could carry a lift with the BMW R1200, seems to me that the rear axle/frame would be way over loaded. The arm numbers would be amazing as it takes weight off the front axle  and adds to the rear axle along with the BMW and the lift.
All I have read about such a motorcycle lift, the tag axle is needed.
Just wondering, hopeI I missed something.

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #8 – September 13, 2013, 08:47:28 pm

Dave,

You're right.  That long moment arm can quickly overload the drive axle without a tag.

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #9 – September 13, 2013, 09:15:29 pm

Good questions about weight and lever arm.

I was worried about all of those things.  I had a U225, knew the weight of the coach and axle weights.  There is a download form on the Blue Ox site to figure the loads, with wheel base, overhang, lift weight, and bike weight.  I tied the empty lift, and measured the sag at the rear bumper, the rear bulkhead, and the front, no change with just the lift.  With the bike loaded, a 1/4" of drop at the rear bulkhead, 3/8" at the hitch.  Test drive seemed fine, and the first 240 mile trip was fine.  Figured if we had any problems, I could just unload the bike and ride it.  But coach carried everything without any issues.  I had done what I could to lighten the bike load weight, by removing the saddle bags, and did not carry the 9 gallon fuel tank full.

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #10 – September 13, 2013, 09:18:18 pm

Dave,

What happened to the axle weights with the coach fully loaded, with and without the bike?

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Re: Motorcyle lift

Reply #11 – September 13, 2013, 09:30:00 pm

Don't remember the totals, but when I was putting it all together last year I was under the rear rated max. by over a 1000 still.  I don't think the numbers would have worked on a U240.  I had done the formulas before buying the lift.  Figured we would upgrade the coach some day, and if I could find a lift things could work out, either on the U225, or on the future coach.

Was happy when the numbers working out.  But was more worried about the loads on the suspension, and knowing that was the weak link.  We had spec. ride height and lots of matched count per position on shims.  We had in the plans down sizing the bike as well, as our travel plans have changed having the coach.

But mute point now, as the bike and that coach are both sold.

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