The Harley-Davidson Tri Glide looks like it should be easy to mount a phone or GPS. It is large, stable, and built for long-distance touring. But the cockpit is more crowded than it looks. The fairing, gauges, handlebar controls, and windshield limit your clean mounting locations.
The two best mounting points are the handlebar and the brake or clutch perch. The handlebar works well if you use a complete motorcycle-grade mount. The perch location is usually cleaner because it uses existing control hardware and keeps the phone closer to your natural line of sight.
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Mounting Analysis
The Tri Glide is more stable than a two-wheel touring motorcycle, but that does not mean cheap mounts are acceptable. It still vibrates, still sees wind load, and still needs secure mounting hardware. This is not the place for bicycle mounts, weak plastic clamps, or random magnetic holders.
The handlebar is the simplest mounting location. Most Tri Glide handlebars are in the range that RAM motorcycle U-bolt mounts are designed to fit. The challenge is placement. You need to avoid blocking gauges, switches, mirrors, and the fairing-mounted display.
The brake or clutch perch is usually the cleanest position. A perch mount uses the existing control bolt area and keeps the phone closer to the rider. This is especially good on Harley touring cockpits where open handlebar space is limited.
The GPS decision depends on the device. Garmin Zumo motorcycle GPS units usually use motorcycle-specific AMPS-style hardware. Garmin Drive and Nuvi units typically use a 17mm ball socket, so those need a 17mm motorcycle GPS mount.
Best Phone and GPS Mounts for Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
1. RAM Mounts X-Grip Handlebar Kit – Best Overall Phone Mount
This is the safest starting point for most Tri Glide riders. The RAM-B-149Z-UN7U is a complete handlebar kit with the U-bolt base, medium arm, and standard X-Grip phone cradle included.
It fits rails from 0.5 inch to 1.25 inches and includes the optional tether, which you should use every time on a motorcycle. It is built from powder-coated marine-grade aluminum, stainless steel components, and high-strength composite materials.
2. Tackform Brake/Clutch Reservoir Motorcycle Phone Mount – Best Clean Perch Mount
The Tackform perch mount is the best cleaner-looking alternative to a handlebar clamp. It mounts at the brake or clutch reservoir bolt location and uses an aluminum construction with a strong spring cradle.
This is a very good fit for the Tri Glide because it keeps the phone close to the controls and avoids cluttering the handlebar. It is also easier to position in a crowded touring cockpit than many bar-mounted setups.
3. Rokform Motorcycle Perch Mount – Best Locking Case-Based System
The Rokform perch mount is a strong choice if you prefer a locking phone case system instead of a universal cradle. It fits many Harley, metric, and Indian cruiser perch bolt patterns and works with Rokform mountable cases or the Rokform universal adapter.
This is a cleaner, more premium-looking setup than an X-Grip. The tradeoff is that you need to use the Rokform ecosystem, but for riders who want a secure lock-in mount, it is worth considering.
5. Arkon Premium Aluminum Motorcycle GPS Mount with 17mm Ball – Best for Garmin Drive and Nuvi GPS
If you are using a Garmin Drive, Nuvi, or similar automotive GPS with a 17mm socket cradle, this Arkon aluminum motorcycle mount is the correct type of product. It fits handlebars up to 1.25 inches and uses the 17mm ball pattern found on many Garmin automotive GPS cradles.
This is not the mount for Garmin Zumo units that already use motorcycle-specific AMPS hardware. It is for riders who still prefer a Garmin automotive GPS on the Tri Glide.
Common Mounting Problems on the Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
- Limited open handlebar space: The cockpit is large but still crowded with controls and fairing structure.
- Wrong phone holder size: Standard cradles may be too small for large phones in thick cases.
- Blocking gauges or switches: Always test placement before tightening the mount.
- Ignoring vibration: The Tri Glide is stable, but it still needs real motorcycle-grade hardware.
- Wrong GPS mount pattern: Garmin Zumo usually uses AMPS-style hardware, while Garmin Drive and Nuvi often use 17mm.
Installation Tips
- Use the RAM-B-149Z-UN7U for standard phones and RAM-B-149Z-UN10U for larger phones.
- Use the tether with any RAM X-Grip phone holder.
- Choose a perch mount if you want a cleaner cockpit and shorter reach.
- Check full steering movement before riding.
- Confirm that the mount does not block gauges, switches, mirrors, or the infotainment screen.
- For Garmin GPS units, confirm whether your cradle uses AMPS or 17mm before buying.
Related Mount Guides
- Motorcycle Mounts Hub
- Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts
- Motorcycle GPS Mounts
- Clutch Mount Guide
- Vibration Guide
Bottom Line
The Harley-Davidson Tri Glide is not hard to mount a phone or GPS on, but it does require the right hardware. For most riders, the RAM X-Grip is the best starting point. If you use a larger phone, step up to the RAM-B-149Z-UN10U.
If you want a cleaner install, use the Tackform or Rokform perch mount. If you use a Garmin Drive or Nuvi-style GPS, use the Arkon 17mm aluminum motorcycle mount.
Do not use cheap mounts on this bike. The Tri Glide deserves a secure motorcycle-grade setup that will stay put on long rides.
