Why every Motorcyclist Needs a Trail Jack / Trail Stand

|Italo Grossi

If you ride an adventure bike, dual-sport, or any motorcycle without a center stand, you’ve likely faced this problem before:
A flat tire, chain maintenance, or wheel repair—with no practical way to lift your bike.

That’s where a Trail Jack, also known as a Trail Stand or portable motorcycle stand, becomes one of the most valuable tools you can carry. In this article, we’ll explain what it is, when you need one, and why the Roia Moto Trail Jack stands out as a true one-piece solution for motorcycle travel.

What Is a Trail Jack (Trail Stand)?

A Trail Jack—often called a Trail Stand or travel motorcycle stand—is a compact, portable tool that allows you to lift your motorcycle safely when no center stand is available.

It supports the bike at the swingarm, frame, or skid plate and allows you to:

  • Lift the rear or front wheel

  • Repair flat tires

  • Adjust or lubricate your chain

  • Perform essential maintenance anywhere

For adventure riders and off-road travelers, it’s often the only realistic lifting solution on the trail.

When Do You Need a Trail Stand?

A Trail Jack isn’t used every day—but when you need it, it can save your entire trip.

Common Situations Where a TrailJack or Trail Stand Is Essential

  • Flat tire repair on bikes without a center stand

  • Chain lubrication and adjustment on long trips

  • Wheel removal in remote areas

  • Off-road repairs far from help

  • Stabilizing the bike after a tip-over

If your motorcycle has no center stand, a portable motorcycle stand becomes a critical piece of equipment.

The Problem with Most Trail Stands

Many Trail Stands on the market come with drawbacks:

  • Multiple loose parts

  • Screws, pins, or segments that can get lost

  • Complicated setup on uneven ground

  • Bulky designs that take up too much space

Losing a small part in mud, sand, or grass can make the entire tool useless.

Why the Roia Moto Trail Jack Is Different

The Roia Moto Trail Jack is the only true one-piece TrailJack solution on the market.

What Makes It Unique

  • Self-contained design
    No setup required. No extra pins or parts to carry—or lose. The Trail Jack is always ready when you need it.
  • High-grip rubber foot
    A durable synthetic rubber foot prevents slipping on hard surfaces, protects the aluminum from ground contact, and improves stability on soft terrain like dirt or sand.
  • Premium materials throughout
    The inner and outer tubes are made from 6061-T6 aluminum, combined with a CNC-machined cradle head carved from a single solid aluminum block.
    A 5 mm solid stainless steel spring-loaded button ensures secure height adjustment.
    All aluminum parts are fully anodized in grey for long-term durability and a clean, professional finish.
  • Versatile and adjustable
    The TrailJack adjusts from 25 cm (10”) to 43 cm (17”) in five secure steps, making it compatible with a wide range of motorcycle models and lift points.
  • Extremely lightweight
    At just 149 g (5.3 oz), it adds virtually no weight to your tool kit—perfect for riders who care about minimal packing and balanced load.
  • Trail-tested by real riders
    Designed and tested by Roia Moto riders in real-world conditions and proven in over 30 countries worldwide. Fully compatible with the Roia Moto Tool Kit and Hand Pump.

This isn’t a garage tool—it’s built to perform when conditions are far from perfect.

Why One-Piece Matters on the Road

When you’re fixing a flat tire or lifting your bike off-road:

  • Your hands may be dirty

  • The ground may be uneven

  • Light conditions may be poor

A one-piece Trail Stand removes complexity. You grab it, place it, lift the bike—done. No searching for parts. No reassembly. No frustration.

That simplicity is exactly what matters during real-world motorcycle travel.

How to Use a Trail Jack Safely

Using a Trail Jack or Trail Stand is simple, but technique matters.

Basic steps:

  1. Park the bike on stable ground

  2. Lean it gently onto the side stand

  3. Place the TrailJack under the correct lifting point

  4. Lift until the wheel is free

We show the full process in our Roia Moto YouTube Trail Jack tutorial, including safety tips and real trail examples. Please also download our Safety Instructions here.

Trail Jack vs. Center Stand

Many riders ask: Why not just use a center stand?

Center stands:

  • Add permanent weight

  • Reduce ground clearance

  • Aren’t available on many bikes

  • Can be damaged off-road

A Trail Jack or portable motorcycle stand gives you the same functionality—only when you need it, without the drawbacks.

The Perfect Setup: Trail Jack + Roia Moto Tool Kit

A TrailJack works best when paired with a compact tool kit. Together, they allow you to:

  • Repair flat tires

  • Adjust or lube your chain

  • Remove wheels

  • Handle most roadside problems

That’s why many riders choose the Roia Moto Toolkit together with the Trail Jack.

Conclusion

A TrailJack—or Trail Stand—is one of those tools you hope you never need, but can’t afford to ride without. For adventure riders, off-road travelers, and anyone without a center stand, it’s a true trip-saver.

The Roia Moto Trail Jack goes one step further:
a one-piece, no-compromise solution, built for real-world riding, tested globally, and designed to work when conditions are far from perfect.

Lightweight, compact, and incredibly reliable—this is the Trail Stand you want when the road ends and the trail begins.

Italo Grossi

Italo Grossi

Motorcycle-Expert & CO-Founder of Roia Moto

I’ve spent over 15 years in the motorcycle world — riding, wrenching, and exploring. Here I share insights, gear tips, and techniques to help you ride smarter and farther.

0 comments

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.