Motorcycle Dictionary
Gear

Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts 2026: Top 7 Ranked

By 6FOOT4HONDA · 21 min read · Mar 4, 2026 · Updated Oct 31, 2026

Quad Lock motorcycle phone mount with a blue locking head clamped to a naked bike handlebar beside the mirror and digital dash

This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend gear we'd use ourselves. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The best motorcycle phone mount for most riders is the Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount (~$55) paired with the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener (~$30). It locks your phone in with a quarter twist, it holds, and the dampener soaks up the engine buzz that Apple itself says can wreck the camera in your iPhone. Want a mount that takes any phone in any case? The RAM X-Grip (~$75) is the old-school universal pick. On a tight budget, the KEMIMOTO clamp mount (~$34) gets your maps on the bars for the price of a couple of Timmy's runs.

All right guys, so here's the thing. Your phone is going on your handlebars whether the old-school guys at Timmy's like it or not. GPS, music, calls, ride tracking, it does literally everything now. I rode way too long checking Google Maps at red lights like a caveman, fishing my phone out of my jacket with gloves on, and bro, never again. So the question isn't "should I mount my phone." The question is "how do I mount it without turning a $1,500 phone into a blurry little paperweight."

Because that's the part nobody tells new riders. The mount is easy. The vibration is the sneaky part. So I'm gonna give you my seven picks, but I'm also gonna yell at you a little about dampeners. Out of love. Let's go.

Key Takeaway

The Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount (~$55) with the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener (~$30) is the best phone mount setup for most riders: the twist-lock is fast and secure, and the dampener cuts the high-frequency engine vibration that Apple warns can damage iPhone camera stabilization. Whatever mount you buy, add some form of vibration damping, especially on single-cylinder and V-twin bikes.

Quick Picks:

PickProductWhyPrice
Best OverallQuad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar MountFastest twist-lock, biggest accessory lineup~$55
Best UniversalRAM X-Grip Large with U-Bolt BaseAny phone, any case, built like a tank~$75
Best BudgetKEMIMOTO Phone Mount with Sun VisorCheap clamp mount that actually locks~$34
Must-Have Add-OnQuad Lock Vibration DampenerProtects your phone camera~$30

Can a Motorcycle Really Destroy Your Phone Camera?

Yes. And I'm not being dramatic here, guys, this one comes straight from Apple. They have an official support page called About vibration exposure and your iPhone camera, and it literally says high-amplitude vibrations, "specifically those generated by high-power motorcycle engines," can degrade the camera system. Apple even says it's not recommended to attach your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines, and for smaller stuff like scooters and mopeds they recommend a vibration-dampening mount.

Bro. Apple put that in writing. When a phone company tells you their phone doesn't love your bike, you listen.

HEADS UP

What Apple says (support article 102175): long-term exposure to high-amplitude vibration can degrade the optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus in iPhone cameras, which shows up as blurry or shaky photos and video. Android flagships use the same kind of floating camera hardware, so Samsung, Pixel and OnePlus owners are not off the hook either. Use a vibration dampener.

What Actually Happens Inside the Phone?

So inside your phone camera there are tiny parts that literally float. OIS moves the lens around in real time to cancel out your hand shaking when you take a picture. That's awesome when you're walking around taking pics of your kids at the park. It is not designed to sit on a vibrating handlebar for three hours straight.

A motorcycle engine sends a constant high-frequency buzz up through the frame and into the bars, and those little camera parts get shaken over and over and over. It doesn't happen in one ride. It builds up. Then one day you take a photo and it looks like you shot it through a fish tank, the video wobbles even when the phone is sitting still, and autofocus just hunts back and forth. And that's not something a factory reset fixes, guys. That's hardware.

Which Bikes Are the Worst for Vibration?

Not all bikes buzz the same. A single-cylinder thumper or a big V-twin shakes way harder than a smooth inline-four, because fewer, bigger power pulses means more shake getting into the chassis. A KLR 650 or a Sportster will rattle your mirrors into a blur, while a Ninja ZX-6R just kind of hums.

Highest risk: thumpers, V-twins, and parallel twins without a counterbalancer. Also bikes with solid-mounted bars, where the buzz goes straight into the mount.

Lower risk, not zero risk: inline-fours, bikes with rubber-mounted bars, bikes with balancer shafts. Even my old CBR with the 6Foot4Honda livery has an inline-four, and I still wouldn't run a phone on the bars of any bike without some damping. Smooth is not the same as zero.

How Do You Protect Your Phone From Vibration?

Two ways, basically:

  1. A dedicated vibration dampener. Stuff like the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener or SP Connect's Anti Vibration Module. These sit between the mount and the phone and use rubber isolators to soak up the high-frequency buzz before it reaches the camera.
  2. Rubber isolation in the mount itself. Rubber bushings or pads that decouple the phone from the bar. Better than metal-on-metal, not as good as a proper dampener.

If you've got a phone with OIS on a bike with no damping at all, real talk, you're slowly killing your camera. It is what it is. A $30 part fixes it.

What Are the Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts in 2026?

Okay, here's the list. Seven picks, from the premium twist-lock systems down to a cheap clamp, plus the one add-on I think every Quad Lock owner needs.

1. Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount — Best Overall

Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount motorcycle product
BEST OVERALL

Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount

The twist-and-lock phone mount most serious riders end up with. Put the phone on the head, give it a quarter turn, click, done, and it releases just as fast with a press of the blue lever. Fits standard handlebars, works with every Quad Lock case and the universal adaptor, and it plugs into the biggest accessory lineup in the game (dampener, wireless charging head, rain poncho). Needs a Quad Lock case or adaptor for your phone.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$55 (mount only) | Attachment: Twist-lock (proprietary) | Needs: Quad Lock case (~$30-50) or universal adaptor | Vibration dampener: Sold separately (~$30)

Review video by Paulo Orquillo on YouTube (not sponsored by or affiliated with me).

Guys, Quad Lock is the default answer for a reason. The twist-lock is just so fast. Phone on, quarter turn, click, and it's locked. Gloves on, gloves off, doesn't matter. At a gas stop you press the blue lever, twist, and your phone is in your pocket before the pump even starts. No squeezing spring arms, no "is it centered," no praying at 120 km/h.

And it's modular, which is the part I love. Same case on your phone clicks into the bike mount, the car mount, the bicycle mount, everything. Buy the handlebar mount now, add a fork stem mount later if you get a sportbike with clip-ons, and the case still works on both. I broke down basically every piece of the lineup in my Quad Lock review if you want the full rabbit hole.

The catch: you need a Quad Lock case for your exact phone, or their universal adaptor that sticks on the back of whatever case you have. New phone? New case. That's the price you pay for the fastest mount out there. If you'd rather buy it all in one box, Quad Lock sells a Handlebar Mount PRO Kit with the Vibration Dampener and MAG universal adaptor bundled together, which works with pretty much any phone.

Budget hack: Quad Lock mounts are basically indestructible, so a used one on eBay can save you a chunk. Just buy the case and the dampener new.

2. RAM X-Grip Large with U-Bolt Base — Best Universal Mount

RAM X-Grip Large Phone Mount with U-Bolt Base and Medium Arm motorcycle product
BEST UNIVERSAL

RAM X-Grip Large Phone Mount with U-Bolt Base and Medium Arm

The classic universal motorcycle phone mount (RAM-B-149Z-UN10U). Four spring-loaded arms with rubber tips grab the corners of basically any big phone, with or without a case, so there is no proprietary case to buy. The U-bolt base clamps the bar, and the 1-inch ball-and-socket arm lets you angle the phone any way you want. Overbuilt metal arm and base, used on police, work and adventure bikes for years.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$75 (cradle + arm + U-bolt base) | Attachment: Spring-loaded X-shaped cradle (universal) | Fits: Large phones, any case | Vibration dampener: Not included (rubber tips and ball only)

Review video by RIDE Adventures on YouTube (not sponsored by or affiliated with me).

The RAM X-Grip is the one you see on every adventure bike at every gas station from here to the Rockies. And honestly? It earned that. Four arms shaped like an X grab your phone from the corners, rubber caps keep it from scratching, and it takes your phone in whatever case you already own. Switch phones next year? Doesn't matter. Your buddy wants to borrow the bike? His phone fits too.

The RAM ball system is sick. There's a 1-inch rubber ball on the U-bolt base, a 1-inch ball on the back of the cradle, and an arm with a socket on each end that squeezes both balls with a thumb knob. Tilt, rotate, angle it however you want, crank the knob, and it stays. Those rubber balls also take a little bit of the edge off vibration, though they're not a real dampener.

The downsides: it's slower. Squeeze the arms open, drop the phone in, let go, check it's centered. Five, ten seconds instead of two. At every stop you either leave your phone sitting on the bars or go through the whole dance again. And your screen is fully out in the rain, there's no weather cover in the box. RAM also sells a little elastic tether for the X-Grip, and bro, on a spring-clamp mount I'd use one.

Running a RAM on a vibey bike? RAM sells vibration-dampening bases and there are third-party isolators that fit the 1-inch ball system. Pair one with the X-Grip on a thumper or a big twin. The rubber balls help a little, but a proper isolator helps a lot more.

3. SP Connect Moto Bundle AVM Clamp — Best With a Dampener in the Box

SP Connect Moto Bundle AVM Clamp with Universal Phone Case motorcycle product
BEST BUNDLE

SP Connect Moto Bundle AVM Clamp with Universal Phone Case

SP Connect's motorcycle bundle with the Anti Vibration Module included, a handlebar clamp mount and a universal SPC+ phone interface, so you are not stuck buying a case for one specific phone. The SPC+ system twists on and locks, sits low and tight to the bars, and keeps the cockpit clean. Getting the dampener in the box is the big win here.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$135 (mount + Anti Vibration Module + universal interface) | Attachment: SPC+ twist-lock (proprietary) | Fits: Most phones via the universal interface | Vibration dampener: Included

SP Connect is Quad Lock's biggest rival, and they come at it from a slightly different angle. The mount sits the phone lower and closer to the bars, so it looks like it belongs on the cockpit instead of sticking up like an afterthought. On a sportbike where space between the clip-ons and the dash is tight, that low profile is dope.

Why I'd grab this exact bundle: it comes with SP Connect's Anti Vibration Module in the box, plus a universal interface that sticks to your existing phone or case. So you don't pay extra for the dampener, and you don't have to rebuy a case when you upgrade your phone. That's two of the biggest headaches with these proprietary systems solved in one box. Let's go.

The catch: the SPC+ twist feels a little less natural than Quad Lock the first few times you use it, and the accessory lineup is smaller. Fewer mount types, fewer charging heads. Also check which bundle you're clicking on, because SP Connect sells about fifty versions of the Moto Bundle for different phones. This one is the universal AVM Clamp version.

4. Peak Design Motorcycle Bar Mount V2 — Best-Looking Premium Mount

Peak Design Motorcycle Bar Mount V2 (Non-Charging) motorcycle product
PREMIUM PICK

Peak Design Motorcycle Bar Mount V2 (Non-Charging)

From the camera-bag company that is obsessed with design. SlimLink magnets snap the phone into place and a mechanical lock holds it, so it is fast one-handed. Rigid aluminum arm, fits bars from 7/8 to 1-1/4 inch with the included collars, and Peak Design builds a vibration isolator into the mount. Needs a Peak Design Everyday Case or their universal adapter.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$100 (mount only, case ~$50 extra) | Attachment: SlimLink magnetic + mechanical lock (proprietary) | Fits: 7/8" to 1-1/4" bars | Vibration damping: Built-in isolator

Review video by Motorcycle.com on YouTube (not sponsored by or affiliated with me).

Peak Design came from the camera world and bro, you can tell. The machining, the finish, the little details, this is the best-looking phone mount on the list. The magnets do the aligning for you, so you just bring the phone close, it snaps into place, and the mechanical lock does the actual holding. Magnets alone don't hold the phone, the lock does. The magnets just make it stupid easy with one hand.

The vibration part: Peak Design builds a vibration isolator right into the mount, so you're not buying an add-on. That's a big plus. But I'm not gonna lie to you, I've read owner reports of OIS issues even with Peak Design mounts, and some reviewers still suggest adding an extra dampener on a really buzzy bike. So think of the built-in isolator as good protection, not a force field.

The catch: price. Mount around $100, case around $50, and you're at $150 before you've ridden anywhere. That's hella money for a phone holder. The case is also a bit thicker than a Quad Lock case. This is a "I want the nicest one and I'm cool paying for it" pick.

5. Rokform Motorcycle Handlebar Mount — Most Secure Hold

Rokform Motorcycle Handlebar Phone Mount motorcycle product
DUAL RETENTION

Rokform Motorcycle Handlebar Phone Mount

Rokform's current handlebar mount with a long arm and a clamp that fits bars from 7/8 inch up to 1.5 inch, so it covers sportbikes, nakeds and fat cruiser bars. The RokLock twist-lock holds the phone mechanically and Rokform's magnets snap it into line first, so you get two kinds of retention. Works with Rokform cases or their universal adapter, and Rokform sells a vibration dampener that pairs with it.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$120 (mount only, case extra) | Attachment: RokLock twist-lock + magnets (proprietary) | Fits: 7/8" to 1.5" bars | Vibration dampener: Sold separately

Rokform's whole pitch is simple: two locks are better than one. Bring the phone close and the magnets pull it into line, then the twist-lock mechanically locks it down. Even with thick winter gloves on, and in Canada that's half the season, bro, you basically can't misalign it.

Rokform's thing is toughness. They sell a lot to off-road, powersports and job-site people where stuff gets bashed around all day, and the cases are built thick on purpose. The clamp range on this one is also huge, 7/8 inch all the way to 1.5 inch, which is awesome if you ride a cruiser with fat bars that half the other mounts won't fit.

The catch: that thick case feels like a brick in your pocket compared to a Quad Lock or Peak Design case. And the price is up there, around $120 for the mount alone before the case and the dampener. That's criminal for a phone holder, not gonna lie, but if you ride rough roads and want the most secure hold, this is the one.

6. KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Phone Mount with Sun Visor — Best Budget

KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Phone Mount with Sun Visor motorcycle product
BEST BUDGET

KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Phone Mount with Sun Visor

A budget clamp-style phone mount that fits phones around 4.7 to 7.2 inches, with a quick-release, an anti-theft lock and a little sun visor that clips over the top to cut screen glare. 360-degree adjustable ball, fits handlebars and also works on ATVs, scooters and bicycles. No proprietary case, so any phone in any reasonable case drops right in.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$34 | Attachment: Spring clamp with lock (universal) | Fits: ~4.7-7.2" phones | Vibration dampener: Basic rubber padding only

Not everybody needs a $150 mounting system, guys. Sometimes you just bought your first bike, your wallet is crying, and you want Google Maps on the bars by Saturday. That's what this is for.

The KEMIMOTO clamps your phone from the sides and bottom, locks so the clamp can't pop open, and swivels on a ball so you can angle it. And the sun visor on top is actually a pretty sick little touch, because if you've ever tried to read a phone screen at noon in July you know it looks like a black mirror. Works with any phone and any normal case, no special adaptor needed.

The downsides: it's a cheap clamp, so the vibration protection is basically some rubber padding. That's it. The ball joint on budget mounts can also creep on rough roads, so check it and snug it up every so often. And the visor makes it bigger and catches more wind than a slim twist-lock. If you've got a $1,500 phone and a thumper, spend the money on something with a real dampener.

Best for: new riders figuring out if they even want a phone on the bars, riders who swap between a few bikes, or a cheap mount for an older phone you use only as a GPS screen.

7. Quad Lock Vibration Dampener — The Add-On I'd Never Skip

Quad Lock Motorcycle Vibration Dampener motorcycle product
MUST-HAVE ADD-ON

Quad Lock Motorcycle Vibration Dampener

A small add-on that sits between any Quad Lock motorcycle mount and the mount head, using rubber dampening grommets to isolate the phone from the high-frequency vibration that damages camera OIS. Quad Lock says it reduces more than 90 percent of high-frequency vibration from motorcycles. Works with Quad Lock motorcycle mounts, the USB charging head and the wireless charging head.

4.5
Check Price on Amazonor Buy Used on eBay →

Price: ~$30 | Works with: Quad Lock motorcycle mounts | How: Silicone dampening grommets isolate the mount head

Review video by Lavatronn on YouTube (not sponsored by or affiliated with me).

This isn't really a phone mount. It's insurance for your camera. It sits between the Quad Lock mount and the head your phone clicks into, and inside there are rubber grommets that let the phone float a little so the buzz from the engine doesn't hammer straight into the camera.

Quad Lock says it cuts over 90% of the high-frequency vibration coming off a motorcycle. I can't stick a lab sensor on your bike, so take the exact number as their claim, but the idea is solid, and it's the fix Quad Lock made specifically because of that Apple warning.

If you already have a Quad Lock mount, this is the most important 30 bucks you can spend. 30 bucks versus a camera repair that costs way more? Bro. Easy math. If you're buying a new Quad Lock setup, budget for it from day one, or grab the PRO kit that already includes it.

TIP

Not on Quad Lock? SP Connect has its own Anti Vibration Module, RAM sells dampening bases for its ball system, and Rokform sells a vibration dampener for its mounts. The brand matters way less than having SOME isolation between your phone and the bars.

How Do the Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts Compare?

MountPriceAttachmentNeeds Special Case?Vibration DampingRating
Quad Lock Handlebar Mount~$55Twist-lockYes (or adaptor)Add-on (~$30)5/5
RAM X-Grip Large + U-Bolt~$75Spring X-cradleNoRubber balls only4.5/5
SP Connect Moto Bundle AVM~$135SPC+ twist-lockUniversal interface includedIncluded4.5/5
Peak Design Bar Mount V2~$100 + caseMagnetic + lockYes (or adapter)Built-in isolator4.5/5
Rokform Handlebar Mount~$120Twist-lock + magnetYes (or universal)Add-on available4/5
KEMIMOTO with Sun Visor~$34Spring clamp + lockNoRubber pads only4/5
Quad Lock Vibration Dampener~$30Add-onQuad Lock onlyIt IS the damping5/5

Which Motorcycle Phone Mount Is Right for You?

If You...Get ThisWhy
Want the best overall setupQuad Lock mount + dampener (~$85)Fastest lock, biggest lineup, proven camera fix
Swap phones a lot or hate special casesRAM X-Grip (~$75)Any phone, any case
Want the dampener includedSP Connect Moto Bundle AVM (~$135)Dampener + universal interface in one box
Want the nicest-looking cockpitPeak Design V2 (~$150 with case)Gorgeous build, built-in isolator
Ride rough roads and want two locksRokform (~$120 + case)Twist-lock plus magnets
Are on a tight budgetKEMIMOTO (~$34)Cheap, locks, sun visor

Real talk, if you ride a sportbike or anything with clip-ons, look at the Quad Lock or SP Connect fork stem versions too. They sit in the middle of the triple tree and look super clean.

Where Should You Mount Your Phone on the Bike?

Not every spot on the bike is equal, guys. Where you clamp the mount changes how much vibration hits your phone, where your eyes go, and whether the phone blocks your dash.

Handlebar mounts are the most common. Clamp to the bar, phone sits above the gauges, easy glance. Downside: the bars carry a lot of engine buzz, so the dampener matters more here.

Fork stem mounts drop into the hole in the top of your triple tree where the steering stem bolt is. On sportbikes that puts the phone dead center between the clip-ons, low and clean. Quad Lock, SP Connect and RAM all make stem versions. Check the stem hole diameter for your bike before you buy.

Mirror mounts use the mirror stalk. Good if your bars are crowded with switches and heated grip controllers, but the phone ends up off to the side instead of center, which is not ideal for a quick nav glance.

Brake or clutch perch mounts bolt onto the clamp on your master cylinder perch. Another option for busy bars. Quad Lock and RAM both make them.

HEADS UP

Use a tether on spring-clamp mounts. A cheap coiled lanyard from your phone to the bar means that if the clamp lets go on the highway, your phone dangles instead of bouncing across three lanes of the 401. This matters most for RAM X-Grip and KEMIMOTO-style clamps that don't have a twist-lock.

How Do You Install a Motorcycle Phone Mount?

Most of these go on in under 10 minutes with the Allen key in the box. It's about as easy as bike mods get, which is great news for a not-mechanical type of guy like me. Couple of tips so you get it right the first time:

Don't crank the clamp. Over-tightening a bar clamp can dent aluminum bars or crack carbon. Snug, then a little more. If it rotates when you push it hard, go a touch tighter instead of reefing on it.

Put it where your eyes already go. You want to glance down without moving your head much. For most bikes that's centered above the gauges or slightly left. If the phone covers your speedo, move it, because a ticket is not worth it.

Route the charging cable clean. A USB cable flapping around catches wind, looks scuffed, and can snag your sleeve or get pinched when you turn the bars. Zip-tie it along the bar and down to a USB outlet, and make sure you turn the bars lock to lock to check nothing pulls tight. My motorcycle apps guide covers the stuff that'll actually be running on that screen.

Test it slow, then fast. Parking lot, then city speed, then highway. At each step check that the phone is locked, the mount didn't move, and you can actually read the screen. Do not find a problem at 110 km/h on the highway. Ain't no way.

Oh, and quick tangent guys. If you're setting up a phone for the first time, set your route BEFORE you pull out. Every single time. There's always that one guy at a red light poking at his phone with a glove on and holding up a whole lane, and bro, the cars behind you are not as patient as you think. The NHTSA motorcycle safety page is full of reminders that riders have zero margin for distraction. But anyways, back to mounts.

How Do You Keep Your Phone Dry in the Rain?

Your phone might be IP67 or IP68, but that rating is for dunking it in still water, not blasting it with rain at highway speed for two hours. Different thing.

Quad Lock sells a weatherproof Poncho cover that goes over the phone while it's mounted. SP Connect sells weather covers for its system too. Peak Design and Rokform mostly rely on your phone's own water resistance.

RAM X-Grip and KEMIMOTO leave the phone fully out there. If you ride in rain a lot with one of those, throw the phone in a cheap waterproof pouch before it goes in the clamp.

The charging port is the weak spot. Water in a USB-C or Lightning port can cause corrosion and charging issues. A weather cover or a cheap silicone port plug fixes that. And if you ride in the wet a lot, my rain riding guide and rain gear picks will keep the rest of you dry too.

Do You Need a Phone Mount if You Have a Bluetooth Headset?

Honestly? They work together. The mount gives you the screen, the headset gives you the voice. With turn-by-turn directions in your ear you barely need to look at the phone at all, which is exactly what you want.

If you don't have a headset yet, the Cardo Spirit (~$99) is the cheapest way into a real Cardo for music, calls and GPS prompts, and the Cardo Spirit HD (~$160) adds better speakers. Full disclosure guys, I partner with Cardo, so use code 6FOOT4 at checkout and you save a little and the site stays alive. My Bluetooth headset guide has the full breakdown, including the budget brands.

Which Apps Should You Run on a Mounted Phone?

A mounted phone is only as good as what's on it. Here's what most riders run:

  • Calimoto or REVER for finding twisty roads and planning scenic routes
  • Google Maps for plain A-to-B with real-time traffic
  • Scenic (iOS) for ride tracking and route recording
  • Waze for hazard reports from other drivers

Want navigation without risking your phone at all? A dedicated GPS like a Garmin Zumo skips the vibration problem completely, and if you're worried about your bike getting snaked, check my motorcycle GPS tracker guide. But for most of us, a good mount with a dampener is the cheaper, easier move.

Final Thoughts

If you want my pick, it's the Quad Lock handlebar mount with the vibration dampener. Around $85 all in, fastest mount out there, and your camera stays alive. If you refuse to buy a special case, get the RAM X-Grip and add a dampening base on a buzzy bike. Want the dampener in the box? SP Connect AVM bundle. Broke after buying the bike? KEMIMOTO, no shame.

Whatever you cop, do NOT skip vibration damping. A $30 part protecting a $1,500 phone. Bro. That's not even a question.

Shopping for a rider this holiday season? A phone mount is one of the most-bought motorcycle gifts on Amazon. Check my full motorcycle gift guide for picks under $25, $50 and $100.

All right guys, that's it for this one. Get that phone on the bars, protect that camera, and I'll see you in the next one. Let's go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do motorcycle phone mounts damage your phone camera?

A phone mount by itself does not damage your camera, but the engine vibration it passes into your phone can. Apple has an official support article explaining that high-amplitude vibrations, specifically from high-power motorcycle engines, can degrade the optical image stabilization and closed-loop autofocus in iPhone cameras over time. Apple does not recommend attaching an iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines, and recommends a vibration-dampening mount for smaller vehicles like mopeds and scooters. Android flagships from Samsung, Google and OnePlus use similar floating camera hardware, so the same risk applies to them. The damage builds up slowly, showing up as blurry photos, shaky video and autofocus that hunts. The fix is a vibration dampener between the mount and the phone, such as the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener or the SP Connect Anti Vibration Module, which isolates the phone from the high-frequency buzz coming through the handlebars and frame.

What is the best motorcycle phone mount?

The best motorcycle phone mount for most riders is the Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount, which costs around $55, paired with the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener at around $30. The twist-lock system attaches and releases the phone with a quarter turn, works with gloves on, and connects to a large lineup of accessories including wireless charging heads, a rain poncho and fork stem mounts. The main downside is that you need a Quad Lock case for your phone or their universal adaptor. If you do not want a proprietary case, the RAM X-Grip is the best universal option because it holds almost any phone in any case. If you want a dampener included in the box, the SP Connect Moto Bundle AVM Clamp comes with an Anti Vibration Module and a universal interface. On a tight budget, a clamp mount like the KEMIMOTO costs about $34.

Can I use a regular car phone mount on a motorcycle?

No, you should not use a car phone mount on a motorcycle. Car mounts are built for a smooth, enclosed cabin, so they rely on suction cups, vent clips or light magnets that can let go when hit with constant vibration, wind blast at highway speed and rain. If a car mount fails on a bike, your phone ends up on the road, possibly in front of traffic behind you. Motorcycle-specific mounts use handlebar clamps, U-bolts, fork stem inserts or perch mounts that bolt to the bike, and the better ones use a mechanical lock like a twist-lock so the phone cannot fall out. Many motorcycle mounts also work with vibration dampeners that car mounts were never designed for. Bicycle mounts are a step closer, but most are not built for motorcycle vibration either. Spend the extra money on a mount designed for motorcycles, and add a tether if you choose a spring-clamp style.

Is Quad Lock or RAM Mount better for motorcycles?

Quad Lock and RAM are both excellent, they just solve different problems. Quad Lock is better if you want speed and convenience. The twist-lock attaches the phone in about two seconds, it has a dedicated vibration dampener, and the same case works across bike, car and bicycle mounts. The trade-off is that you need a Quad Lock case for your specific phone or their universal adaptor. RAM is better if you want universal compatibility. The RAM X-Grip uses four spring-loaded arms that hold almost any phone in any case, and the 1-inch ball-and-socket arm lets you set nearly any angle. The trade-off is that loading and unloading the phone is slower, the screen is exposed to rain, and you should add a tether since there is no twist-lock. Many riders choose Quad Lock for a daily rider with one phone and RAM for adventure bikes or bikes shared between riders.

Do I need a vibration dampener for my motorcycle phone mount?

Yes, if your phone has optical image stabilization, and nearly every modern flagship from Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus does. Apple's own support article warns that vibration from high-power motorcycle engines can degrade the camera's stabilization and autofocus systems, and recommends a vibration-dampening mount even for smaller vehicles. Single-cylinder engines, V-twins and parallel twins without a balancer shaft create the strongest vibration, so riders on those bikes should treat a dampener as essential. Smoother inline-four engines vibrate less, but the buzz still adds up over thousands of kilometres. A dampener like the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener costs around $30, which is much cheaper than a camera repair or a new phone. If your mount system does not offer a dampener, look for a mount with a built-in isolator, such as the SP Connect AVM bundle or Peak Design V2, or a third-party isolator that fits your mount's ball system.

Will a phone mount fit any motorcycle handlebar?

Most motorcycle phone mounts fit standard 7/8-inch (22 mm) handlebars and 1-inch bars, and many include rubber spacers or collars to adjust the fit. Some mounts, like the Peak Design Bar Mount V2, cover 7/8 inch up to 1-1/4 inch, which handles the thicker bars common on cruisers and Harleys. Tapered or fat bars on dirt bikes and some naked bikes are usually 1-1/8 inch in the middle, so check the clamp range before buying. If you ride a sportbike with clip-ons, there may be very little bar to clamp onto, which is why fork stem mounts that drop into the top of the triple tree are popular. Mirror stalk and brake or clutch perch mounts are other options when the bars are crowded with switches. Always measure your bar where you plan to clamp the mount, and compare it with the mount's listed range before you order.

How do I protect my phone from rain while it is mounted on a motorcycle?

The easiest way to protect a mounted phone from rain is a weather cover made for your mount system. Quad Lock sells a weatherproof Poncho cover that seals over the phone while it stays mounted, and SP Connect sells weather covers for its system too. If you use a universal mount like the RAM X-Grip or a budget clamp, put the phone in a waterproof pouch before it goes into the clamp. Even phones rated IP67 or IP68 are tested in still water, not against hours of rain hitting them at highway speed, so do not rely on the rating alone. The charging port is the weakest point, since water inside a USB-C or Lightning port can cause corrosion and charging problems, so use a silicone port plug or keep the cable connector covered. After a wet ride, dry the phone and let the port air out before you plug it in to charge.