Top 5 Motorcycle Phone Mounts

As smartphones provide more and more than just communication, the desire to keep them by our side continues to grow. Through navigation, Bluetooth music, or just an easy way to snap some scenic shots on a tour, many of us prefer to have our phones accessible while we ride. But even Apple has admitted that extended vibration can affect the way your phone’s camera autofocus and auto stabilization work, meaning you not only need a sturdy and secure mount, but one that helps to mitigate vibration as well.

When looking for a reliable motorcycle phone mount, you should look for durable build quality of metal or ABS plastic, and some sort of rubber or foam system to damp vibration. Grip strength is key—you don’t want to lose your $1,000 phone over a speed bump, so look for industrial-strength springs or a multipoint grip; X-Grips are popular precisely because they contact the phone at four points. You’ll also want to measure your handlebar diameter (especially if they’re tapered) and smartphone dimensions to make sure they’re both compatible with the mount.

You’re also looking for convenience, and mounts that let you grab your phone with one hand or swivel easily for viewing options are a huge help. Check the mount’s stability during a low-speed test run for any issues, and tighten things down before setting off on your next long-distance tour.

Quad Lock’s twist (pun intended) on smartphone device mounts uses its own patented dual-stage lock, available in a variety of configurations for different mounting locations, but all of them offer quick-attach/detach capability for easy access on the go. The company makes mounts for handlebars, steering stem, mirror mount, or just a ball adapter to use with any of Ram’s mounting systems. And these mounting systems need a point on the phone to lock to, provided by one of Quad Lock’s many phone cases or a universal adhesive mounting system. They’re available as a kit through Quad Lock’s site.

Quad Lock also makes a substantial vibration-damping system, sold separately for $20; it works with any of the company’s motorcycle mounts to ensure your phone is never shaken to the point of breakage.

The Peak Design system, like a few on this list, requires you to use its case with its mount, but it works well, it’s quick, and it’s secure. The case itself features four magnets to help the locking system line up, and just serve as a general convenience in everyday use. The mounting systems work either vertically or horizontally, easily locking your phone in place as you place the case on the mount. To detach, two buttons on the back disengage the locking mechanism and your phone is loose again. Peak Design offers a few ways to attach the mount to your bike, including the handlebar mount, a stem mount, as well as several adhesive-based designs that can work around the house or office.

The vibration-damping system on the PD mount works well too. I tested this system for hundreds of miles on a Harley-Davidson with no negative effects.

Rokform has grown a broad portfolio of motorcycle-specific accessories over the years, and the Pro Series is its top-shelf line of bike mounts, utilizing premium materials like CNC-machined aluminum in conjunction with a twist lock design to keep your phone stable on even rough terrain. It uses a proprietary case with an additional magnetic attachment point, which helps line your phone up as you attach it and provides yet another safety layer. There’s an included lanyard, should your trail get really teeth-chattering. The Rokform Pro clamps onto bars 7/8 inch to 1-1/4 inches and can spin 360 degrees around the mount or the bar, and pivot up to 55 degrees so you can nail that perfect angle for viewing. There is some vibration damping from the rubber bushing on the bar mount, but the way the phone and case are attached can lead to vibration damage on certain bikes, so just be aware of that if you put it on your Big Twin.

The Ram Mounts X-Grip is easy to use and has tons of options for how to attach it to your bike. It’s made in two sizes to accommodate larger or smaller phones and comes with a stretchy rubber tether to further secure your phone to the mount. The Tough Claw is our preferred mounting system as its rubberized claw is easily tightened down on a variety of handlebar sizes, making it convenient for use on multiple motorcycles. But as Ram has been making mounting systems for quite a while, it offers a variety of tank, mirror, and reservoir mounts, both universal and bike-specific.

All right, so this one isn’t a traditional handlebar mount, but it does mount to your handlebars and it does hold your phone in a viewable location. The Overwatch Bag from Harley-Davidson is made up of three primary compartments. On top is the phone case, covered with a clear flap that’s sealed with Velcro around the edges and secured at the top. It’s rainproof and has kept my phone dry behind the windshield of my unfaired bagger through many a rainstorm. Below/behind that is a small padded compartment, perfect for sunglasses and an auxiliary battery, as there’s a small cable pass-through hole to the phone compartment for charging. This top pouch section is detachable from the larger bottom one, if you just want the convenient phone case. Finally, there’s a large top-zippered compartment below that, fit with a zippered pocket and little elastic pouch inside for organization. MOLLE straps cover the outside of the bag and adjustable Velcro straps let you attach it to your bike in a variety of ways, as well as the two adjustable clip straps on the large main compartment. And most importantly, because it’s fabric and padded, vibration is greatly damped and it won’t break your phone.

This bag is really designed for use on motorcycles with handlebar risers, so it may be a bit tougher one a sportbike with clip-ons.