Use Your Smartphone While Riding? Here Are the Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts

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Get into a fender-bender in your car, and you can simply get out and survey the damage. However, on a motorcycle, there are no fender-benders—every accident is potentially catastrophic. To take that analogy a step further, if you drop your phone onto your floorboard while driving, you can just reach down and pick it up. If your phone falls off your motorcycle, though? Chances are it's a goner.

Riders who use their phones to stay connected while riding know that having a secure motorcycle phone mount is critical; a bicycle mount just won't cut it on (or off) the highway. Motorcycle phone mounts run the gamut in style, mounting, and affordability. With so many on the market these days, which one should you trust to hold your smartphone?

The Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts

Despite the wide variety of bikes and riders on the road, motorcyclists often get lumped into that tired stereotype of the leather-clad badass, ready to raise hell. Most of us do have one thing in common, though: We relish the freedom to ride our bikes however we damn well please. A lot of bikers like to "escape" altogether while riding; just unplug and unwind. Many others—particularly the younger generation of riders—want to stay connected in the saddle by listening to music, taking and making calls, and using smartphones for mapping and directions.

If you prefer to stay connected, you have two approaches: 1) Connect your phone via Bluetooth to a helmet communications system such as Cardo or Sena and tuck your phone into your pocket, or 2) Mount your smartphone to your bike.

If you're that type of rider, then you need a secure way to mount your phone to your handlebar or fork stem so you can see its display at a glance. A bicycle phone mount isn't secure enough for a motorcycle; you need a solid metal phone mount that can withstand high wind speeds, road bumps, trail moguls, and the constant hum of high-RPM engine vibrations.

That's why you need a motorcycle-specific phone mount. But which one? To find the answer, we reached out to our go-to gear guru, Patrick McHugh. Patrick is the manager of product research and testing at Comoto, the parent company of popular motorcycle gear and apparel retailers Revzilla, Cycle Gear, and J&P Cycles. "My job is basically to use and evaluate every piece of motorcycle gear and apparel on the market, whether we sell it or not," McHugh says. Patrick previously helped us bring you a roundup of the best motorcycle helmets to buy, and we trust his expertise when it comes to motorcycle gear.

As it turns out, choosing the best motorcycle phone mount is almost as tricky as choosing the best helmet. They run the gamut in style, quality, and price. But most importantly, McHugh says, "We've found that there really aren't that many [trusted] players in the phone mount game."

So you should pick a brand that real riders know and trust. Bottom line? As with most types of gear and gadgets, you'll get what you pay for. That is to say: Trust your precious and valuable smartphone to a cheapo knock-off brand at your own peril.

Ready to choose your motorcycle phone mount? Here are some of the best you can buy.

QuadLock PRO Motorcycle Phone Mount

QuadLock made a splash with viral social media videos. It could have gone down as a gimmick, but as it turns out, the QuadLock system really, really works. It's got a sleek appearance and is easy to bolt onto any handlebar with a U-bolt (fork-stem versions are also available) and holds your smartphone at an ideal height. QuadLock uses a proprietary case that matches your phone, so you're stuck with the case whether you're riding or not—unless you opt for the stick-on Universal Adapter.

Best of all, QuadLock was among the first companies to address the smartphone camera issue with its own Vibration Dampener. The system also features an optional Weatherproof Wireless Charging Head to keep your phone juiced up while you're riding.

"[QuadLock is] by far the biggest name in the game right now," Comoto's McHugh agreed. "The new vibration dampener alleviates the iPhone issues. Awesome pick for the money."

RAM Mounts Quick-Grip Mount with Wireless Charging

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line motorcycle phone mount that wirelessly charges your phone, this is it. RAM Mounts' new(ish) Quick-Grip mount system is a step above its popular X-Grip, and this bundle includes a wireless charging adapter.

RAM Mounts attach to your motorcycle in various ways. We selected the U-bolt mount here, but it's also available in fork-stem mounts and clip-on Tough Claw bases. RAM also offers numerous optional arm extenders and even a ball-joint socket that lets you angle your phone so you can see it clearly.

"RAM Mounts are great and something a lot of people have sworn by for years," McHugh said. He did point out that while RAM's rubber ball-and-socket system does a good job of tempering vibrations, RAM won't guarantee that your iPhone won't be damaged.

Rokform Pro Series Motorcycle Perch Mount

Rokform is renowned for having numerous phone-case options for both Apple and Samsung Galaxy phones. (Those with another type of phone can opt for its universal adapter.) No matter which you use, the Pro Series Perch Mount bolts directly to the clutch or brake-lever mechanism on Harley, Indian, and even metric cruisers like Honda for a secure mount at the perfect height. Made of CNC-machined 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, it's available in either anodized black or polished aluminum to maintain the custom look cruiser riders crave.

For those looking to move their mount among various bikes, a versatile bar clip mount is also available. Best of all, Rokform's Vibration Dampener gets rave reviews from users.

Peak Design Motorcycle Stem Mount

Ideal for sport and street bikes with clip-on style handlebars, this low-profile stem mount from Peak Design keeps your phone rigidly mounted, easily viewable, and instantly accessible. An ultra-strong magnetic/mechanical mounting technology called SlimLink grabs and locks your phone in portrait or landscape modes. The rigid adjustment arm lets you customize your phone position and viewing angle. A vibration isolator prevents camera damage.

It's made with machined and anodized aluminum construction and stainless steel fasteners. Installation requires a Peak Design Case or Universal Adapter.

RAM Mounts X-Grip Phone Mount

The OG. The X-Grip from RAM Mounts was one of the first motorcycle phone mounts that real riders ever trusted, and it's only gotten better over the years. It works by clamping onto your phone, so there's no case or adapter required.

It's also available in fork-stem and mirror mounts, plus clip-on Tough Claw bases. Plenty of extenders and RAM's innovative ball base attachment are also available. Finally, it now comes in a Large size to accommodate today's larger smartphones. Pick up the X-Grip Tether for extra security against drops.

Lamicall Motorcycle Phone Mount

If we have to choose a budget option for this list, we're going to opt for the one with nearly 40K Amazon user reviews and an eye-popping sub-$20 price. The Lamicall clamps onto most handlebars up to 1.5 inches and fits a wide variety of phones.