Top five motorcycle phone mounts

Hold the phone! Or not, if you’re riding and you’ve invested in a motorcycle phone mount...

Like ’em or loathe ’em, mobile phones are ubiquitous in today’s world. These pocket-sized supercomputers are packed with an astounding array of features and apps that link them to almost every aspect of our modern lives.

That indispensability means we tend to take them everywhere, including on the bike. And why not? Today’s phones pretty much do it all. There’s GPS navigation to guide you to a destination, music players to keep you entertained on the journey, and near pro-spec cameras to record the memories.

On the bike, you need somewhere handy to put it. That’s why a motorcycle phone mount has become an essential accessory for riders looking to seamlessly integrate mobile technology into their motorcycling experience.

Phone mounts not only offer convenience and stability, they also prioritise safety by keeping things hands-free and even enable access to battery charging. Having the phone in view is essential with GPS navigation apps, as a quick glance can show you where you are and where you’re heading, and prevent a wrong turn or unnecessary detour.

Paired with a Bluetooth helmet communications system, a secure mount allows riders to use a phone for hands-free calling or receive navigation prompts directly through their lids, ensuring their eyes stay on the road while they stay connected. Likewise, your phone’s music apps can be safely and easily controlled for listening to tunes or podcasts on the go.

Phone mounts are made from plastic or aluminium and have two basic components: one secures the mount to your bike, and the other holds your phone, generally with either some sort of clamp-style mechanism or a proprietary mount such as Quad Lock’s ‘click and twist’ device.

The bike-mounting components are available in a range of different fitting systems to suit the wide variety of motorcycle styles. Handlebar mounts do what they say on the tin, clamping around the ’bar tube using a bolt-on fixing or a quick-release jaw-style set-up that allows you to use the same mount on more than one bike.

Clamp-style mounts won’t always work on sportsbikes and tourers with clip-on-style handlebars, so here a mirror mount can be a better solution. These fix to the mirror mountings, often using the existing fasteners. There are also mounts that fix to a bike’s brake reservoir, clutch perch or bolt into the head stem. What works for you will depend on your bike’s design and your personal preference.

Just like real estate, location is a key point for a phone mount. The phone needs to be where you can clearly see it at a glance but it shouldn’t obscure the bike’s instrument panel. It also shouldn’t foul on any controls or switches, or the screen, fairing, brake or clutch lines, when the handlebars are turned.

A reliable mount should hold the phone securely in place, even off-road. Look for mounts with features like adjustable grips, rubberised clamps or additional securing mechanisms.

Vibration can be deadly for modern phones, and especially for the phone’s camera lenses. You definitely don’t want the fancy camera in your big-dollar high-end phone rendered useless after a few rides, so bear this in mind when choosing a mount. Some manufacturers offer vibration dampers, either integrated with the mount or as an accessory.

What else to consider? Make sure the mount is compatible with your phone’s size and model. Some mounts are designed for specific phones or dimensions, while others are adjustable to accommodate various sizes or have universal fitting kits.

Choose a mount that is easy to install and doesn't require complicated tools. And opt for one made from weather-resistant materials that won’t degrade too quickly in the face of heat, rain, dust and mud.

The same applies to your choice of phone. If you do a lot of riding, or you’re planning an extended trip, consider buying a ‘rugged’ phone. These are resistant to water, dust and shock, and are heavier and more robustly constructed than the average phone. Water-resistant covers and cases are available for non-rugged phones, but these vary in quality and performance, and can be fiddly to use.

So now, let’s take a look at some of the popular motorcycle phone mount offerings currently available…

Quad Lock mounts use a ‘click and twist’ mounting system to secure the phone to the mount and allows them to be used in portrait or landscape mode. These mounts are built into phone cases to suit the most popular phone models, such as iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, or come as a universal mount that sticks to the back of a phone or case.

Bike mounting options include handlebar, fork stem, brake and clutch perch, brake reservoir, mirror versions, in either nylon or aluminium. Quad Lock also offers a vibration damper and wireless or USB charging accessories, as well as a 1-inch ball mount that enables the fitment of a Quad Lock to an existing RAM Mount arm set-up.

A Quad Lock universal phone adaptor kit with nylon handlebar mount and vibration damper starts at $94.90. For more info, head to Quad Lock.

These US-designed mounts have been around for decades and are built on an interchangeable ball and socket system that couples with different arms and a variety of bike mount set-ups that give excellent adjustability. RAM’s phone holders use a clamping system, in either an X-Grip design or a plate with spring-loaded claws so they will fit just about any phone or tablet.

RAM Mounts have a ‘build-your-own’ approach so you can select the mounting kit that best suits your bike – these include different length arms, handlebar U-bolts and rail clamps, mirror, reservoir and head stem mounts, and even fuel tank and quick-release vice clamp options. Wireless charging options and vibration dampers are also available.

A RAM Mount X-Grip phone cradle with a short arm and a fork stem base mount will set you back about $100 to $120. For more information, head to Ram Mounts.

Peak Design’s phone mounts use a combined magnetic-mechanical system with in-built vibration damper that locks the phone into place with a click and releases it via one of two buttons on the mount. Like the Quad Lock, you’ll need a Peak Design phone case (for iPhone, Samsung or Google) or a universal adapter to use the mount system.

Their motorcycle mounts come in handlebar and fork stem options, both adjustable and made from machined and anodised aluminium with stainless steel fasteners. With the handlebar mounts, collars are available to suit different handlebar diameters.

A Peak Design universal adapter is $49.95, with the handlebar mount and fork stem mount priced at $154.95 each. For more information visit Peak Design.

Another manufacturer to use a proprietary ‘twist lock’ mechanical phone holder design, SP Connect also offers an upgraded SPC+ system that adds magnetic attachment to the mechanical system. Again, you’ll need a phone case – available for iPhone, Samsung and Google – or a universal mount adapter, which comes in a simple adhesive-backed set-up, clamp-style (with or without USB charging) or a waterproof roll-top pouch.

For the bike, SP Connect has fibreglass-filled polyamide plastic and machined aluminium mounting hardware systems with handlebar, brake/clutch reservoir cap, bar clamp, mirror, fuel stem and ball-end options, some with vibration damping.

A basic starter kit with the adhesive universal adapter and polyamide Moto Mount LT handlebar mount will set you back $89.90. Head to the SP Connect for more information.

Arkon Mounts have a ball and socket system, while the phone cradles use a clamping set-up, both in a plate design with fingers that hold the phone top and bottom, or a lower-profile version that grips it from the side. The ball and socket system allows for 360-degree adjustment, and some Arkon mounts also come with arms for even more flexibility.

Made from aluminium or composite material, Arkon bike mounts are available with handlebar clamps, mirror/bar clamp bolt-on and quick-release jaw clamp options. Priced at $67.95, the RoadVise Robust Clamp Phone Mount kit with a jaw clamp set-up is suitable for most smartphones, comes with two different arms and a security knob. Find out more at Arkon Mounts.