Using your phone for navigation is the norm for most riders now. But a motorcycle is a hard place for a phone: constant vibration, rain, potholes and wind. A cheap, wobbly holder can drop your phone on the road or slowly damage it. Here is how to choose a mount that does the job properly.
Where should the mount go?
- Handlebar clamp. The most common option. It fits most motorcycles with round bars, is easy to move between machines, and keeps the phone close to your eye line.
- Crossbar or behind the screen. Many touring and adventure motorcycles have a small crossbar behind the windscreen. A bracket here puts the phone higher, closer to your line of sight and better protected from wind and rain. Our GPS Mount Bracket clamps onto 13 mm and 16 mm tubes for exactly this.
- Model-specific brackets. Some brackets are made for one motorcycle and bolt to existing mounting points, such as our bracket for the Yamaha TMAX 530. They look factory-fitted and are very solid, but only fit the models listed.
- Mirror stem or fork yoke. Useful if your handlebars are crowded with switchgear, heated grip controls or hand guards.
Vibration: the hidden risk to your phone
Phone makers, including Apple, warn that strong vibration from motorcycle engines can damage the optical image stabilisation in phone cameras. It does not happen instantly, but long rides on a rigid mount can leave you with a blurry or buzzing camera.
- Choose a mount with a vibration damper or rubber isolation.
- Mount the phone on a part of the motorcycle that vibrates less. A bracket behind the screen often transmits less vibration than one clamped to the bars.
- Avoid mounting directly on the engine or frame near the engine.
Grip and security
- Look for a positive locking mechanism, not just spring clamps.
- Check the holder suits your phone size, including your case.
- Use a lanyard or secondary strap for extra peace of mind.
- Tighten the clamp to the bar firmly, then check again after the first ride.
Rain and charging
Most phones are water-resistant rather than waterproof, and heavy rain and pressure-washing are a different story from a splash. A weatherproof case or a mount behind the screen helps. If you rely on navigation for long rides, a USB socket wired to the motorcycle keeps the phone charged, but make sure the connection is protected from water.
Or skip the phone altogether
A dedicated motorcycle navigation screen keeps your phone in your pocket. Our Bluetooth Navigation Screen is IP68 waterproof and supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, so maps, music and calls appear on a screen built for the motorcycle while your phone stays safe and dry.
Stay legal
The Highway Code says you must not hold a phone while riding. A sat nav or phone used for navigation must be secured, must not block your view of the road and must not distract you from riding. Set your route before you set off, and use voice guidance through a helmet intercom where you can.
Products in this guide
- Bluetooth Navigation Screen: IP68 touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
- GPS Mount Bracket: shock-absorbent bracket for 13 mm and 16 mm crossbars and tubes.
- GPS Navigation Mount: aluminium mount that holds a device behind the front fairing.
- Smartphone GPS Mount Bracket: model-specific bracket for the Yamaha TMAX 530.
Check the fit details on each product page, or browse all motorcycle phone and GPS mounts.