What to Use as a Dirt Bike Stand - MX Lifts, Stands, and More

It’s important to have a good stand for your dirt bike as this will make maintenance activities a lot easier. But what are some of the things that you can use as a dirt bike stand?  After some major market research, creating my own MX company and product lines, I’ve come up with a few ideas. 

There are plenty of things you can use as a dirt bike stand. You might want to use a milk crate or an MX stand. Alternatively, you can use a roll-on stand. You might also want to use a hydraulic lift. Each of these has its pros and cons. 

There are plenty of things that you can use as a bike stand. Let’s take a closer look at each of these options, so you can find the right one for you. 

What Can You Use as a Dirt Bike Stand?

There are plenty of options that you might want to explore. Each of these will have its own set of pros and cons. We’ll discuss how you can decide the right one for you a little later. 

Milk Crate

One of the oldest and cheapest options is a milk crate. All you’ll need to do is balance the chassis of the bike on the crate and you can start making repairs.However, as you can imagine, there are a few downsides.You won’t be able to adjust the height. Also, you will need to lift the bike onto the milk crate. This can often be a difficult task, with the potential to damage your bike. Lastly, there is the potential that the weight of the bike can crush the crate. 

Regular MX Stand 

The second option that you might want to explore is a regular MX stand. This has been designed specifically for dirt bikes, so you don’t have to worry about it collapsing under the weight. It will be tall enough to lift the wheels off the ground. 

If you like this idea, you can check out theATS stand from Risk Racing.  This has a few distinct advantages. For example, there are magnetic areas that you can attach your tools, nuts, and bolts to. You will also be able to adjust the stand to suit your bike and get both tires off the ground. It also comes with a rubber top, to protect your bike from damage.

Lift Stand 

Another option that you might want to consider is the lift stand. Many people agree that it’s easier to use this than the MX stand. You won’t need to lift the bike. Instead, you just need to roll the bike onto the stand. Then step on the foot pedal. It will then lift the bike into the air. 

If you want this kind of stand, you might want to check out theRR1 Ride-On Lift Stand from Risk Racing. This is lightweight, making it easy to transport.There is a rubber mat on top of the stand. This will grip your bike and protect it from damage. It also comes with holes for draining the oil.

Hydraulic Scissor Lift 

Finally, you might want to consider using a hydraulic scissor lift. In this case, you need to drive the bike onto the lift. Then, you will need to use the hydraulic lift to raise it. You will be able to adjust how high you want the lift to go. When you’re not using it, the lift can become flat. This makes it easy to store. 

What is the Best Dirt Bike Stand?

As we’ve seen, there are a few types of dirt bike stands that you can use. But which one is the best choice? That will often depend on what you are looking for. 

If you are looking for the cheapest option, you might want to choose a milk crate. The regular MX stand is a step-up from the milk crate. Step it up one more notch with an ATS Stand to have an adjustable top. The ATS comes with a magnetic side panel which you can use to rest your nuts and bolts on. The top will be adjustable, making it easier to get the right angle when you are working on it.Though you will still need to lift your bike onto it. 

If you don’t want to lift your bike, you can use the Ride-On Lift. This makes it one of the easiest stand types to use. You can have the bike ready to maintain in a few seconds. Because of this, it’s a great option for those who are having trouble lifting their bikes.

However, if you want to get something that will be easy to operate, you can use the hydraulic lift.It offers you the most ease of use but the least flexibility. You will be able to get it to the perfect height with the push of a button, but it won't exactly be portable. This can be good for more expensive alterations. But this is also the most expensive option. 

How Do You Use a Dirt Bike Lift Stand?

If you want your stand to last for a long time, you must be using it properly. How you need to use it will depend on the type of bike you have. 

How Do You Use a Regular MX Stand? 

In this case, you will need to lift the dirt bike onto the stand. You’ll need to be careful about how you lift it. If you do this incorrectly, there is a chance that you will hurt your back.The most common method is theside panel lift. 

In this case, you will need to grab the side panel or subframe of the bike. Then, using your knees, lean the weight of the bike on you. Then, use your hips and arms to lift the bike onto the stand. Though it can take a bit of getting used to, once you have this move mastered, you will be able to put it on the stand in a few seconds. 

How Do You Use a Roll-On Stand?

The roll-on stand is the easiest to use. In this case, all you need to do is roll the bike into place. Then, you will stand on the lift pedal. This will raise the dirt bike into the air. You will then need to put in the locking pin. This will keep the bike in the air while you work on it. When you are finished, you will need to remove the pin and lower the platform. It will then fold up. 

How Do You Use a Hydraulic Dirt Bike Lift? 

This is a fairly simple type of stand to operate. First, you will need to roll the bike over it. Make sure that you are lining it up properly. This ensures that it will balance when you start to lift it. 

When you are ready, use the hydraulic lift mechanism. How you need to do this will depend on the type of lift you have.In most cases, you will need to crank the handle. This is what raises the stand. Keep turning until it reaches a comfortable height. This will often depend on what you are working on. When you have finished lower the stand and roll the bike away.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of things that you can use as a dirt bike stand. Milk crates, MX stands, roll-on stands, and hydraulic lifts are all good options. Which one is right for you will depend on your style and your budget. You might need to experiment with a few options to find the one that you like the most.