The Pit Bull forward handle stand is a good one man lifting tool. You need to have long spools (I have Vertical Horizon ZX-14 spools 06-07 but they work fine on my 08) so that the lifting forks will clear the swingarm. As long as you do that, the stand clears everything but you must put the side stand up before the lift. It is not hard to make the lift. I have found that it is easy to lift the ZX-14 but so far, attempts to lift the busa on this stand have been futile.

One thing, the Pit Bull fork stand now requires just about all of my 180 lbs to lift when the back is on the spools stand. The front is simple to lift when used in conjunction with a swingarm pivot stand.

The handle might be a bit in the way for some jobs down low in the middle of the bike on the sprocket side but that's the cost of safe solo lifting and less floor space being used up.

I've been looking at one of these. Wasn't sure how well it would work. Now I guess I'll get one.

I've been using it often for the past 5 years. The only problem I've ever had with it is when the rear tire was flat. It was difficult getting the forks on the spools. Also I had a new 190/55 tire touch the cross bar after the rear was lifted. I raised the lifting forks about a quarter inch and never had that happen again. I used a cpou[le bolts/washers nuts spacers to make sure the forks could not drop. I don't think that is necessary but just in case.

A swing arm pivot like the Abba or the Heindl is also nice. I think there might still always be situations where only a stand that supports the bike under the swing arm will work.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/18/2015 @ 5:51 PM *

Thanks Rook. It's on my wish list.
I'll see if I need to change spools when I get it Bump. Thanks for the info.

* Last updated by: Koog on 4/18/2015 @ 8:17 PM *

Vertical Horizon spools are big and lightweight delrin. They have a wide tapered channel that the lift forks guide into nicely. They have a spacer so they will align with the lift forks without hitting the swingarm. I think they look better than the smaller spools I have too. PitBull Spools I have on my busa are very small but they work. Yes, if you want the least scary rear stand, go with a swing arm stand. That is even scary the first few lifts but you literally cannot drop the bike as long as you keep forward tension on the lever. The same is true of the forward handle PitBull but you must engage both lifting forks to the spools while holding the bike up. I get both lined up as bast as I can and then engage the left spool while the bike is on the sidestand. Then I raise the bike to almost vertical and jiggle the stand back and forth until the right fork is on the spool pretty squarely. That can cause some tension while your hold ing the bike vertical at the same time. After both spools are engaged, the bike will stand up straight as long as you keep ample forward pressure on the handle. You need to kick the sidestand back before you lift the bike or the lever will not clear it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/18/2015 @ 10:53 PM *

I already put the pit bull spools on. I'll see how I feel when I've got the stand and then maybe change to the spools you suggested if I'm not real happy. Thanks bud.

Sure. The PitBull spools will work fine.

I have had a Pit Bull forward handle stand for several years, never a problem, and love it, BUT!!!

Last year on a recommendation from Victhing I tried an ABBA stand with the front wheel lift adapter, haven't used my Pit Bull since then. The ABBA is one of the easiest stands I have ever used, period. The ABBA is very stable, no spools to slip off of, and you can lift both wheels with just one stand. I would seriously look at an ABBA stand before you buy anything else, great product, reasonable price, and SUPER easy to use.

The Abba is a nice one. I would have gotten that instead of the Heindl if it was available in the US at the time I purchased. However, I still have certain jobs where only a stand that supports the swing arm will work.