The Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail is one of the easier cruisers to mount accessories on, and that is a big part of its appeal. The bike gives you real handlebar space, a clean cockpit, and multiple mounting points that do not feel forced or awkward. That matters because some motorcycles fight you the whole way when you try to add a phone, GPS, or camera. The Heritage Softail usually does not.
That does not mean every mount is a good fit. On a cruiser like this, the goal is not just to attach a device somewhere. The best setup keeps the screen visible, avoids crowding the controls, and still looks right on the bike. A Heritage Softail can carry accessories well, but it also looks bad quickly if the cockpit starts feeling cluttered.
This guide covers the best phone, GPS, and camera mount options for the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail, along with the mounting locations that make the most sense and the mistakes that are easiest to avoid.
Best Mount Types for a Harley Heritage Softail
| Mount Type | Best For | Why It Works | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handlebar mount | Phones, GPS, some cameras | Lots of usable bar space on this bike | Best overall |
| Brake/clutch reservoir mount | Phones, compact GPS | Cleaner look than some bar mounts | Best compact solution |
| 17mm ball GPS mount | Garmin Nuvi / Drive style cradles | Direct fit for common GPS cradle sockets | Best for older Garmin setups |
| Action camera mount | GoPro and similar cameras | Metal systems handle vibration better | Best for video |
Why the Heritage Softail Is Easier Than Most Bikes
Some motorcycles make you hunt for mounting space. The Heritage Softail does not. The handlebar area is open, the controls are accessible, and there is enough separation between the bars and the rider’s line of sight to make a well-placed phone or GPS feel natural.
That is one reason cruisers like this stay friendly to accessory mounting. You are not fighting clip-ons, aggressive fairing packaging, or a tightly compressed instrument cluster. On the Heritage Softail, the main question is not “is there anywhere to mount this?” It is “which good location makes the most sense for how I ride?”
For some riders, that means a phone mounted on the handlebar for Waze or Google Maps. For others, it means a dedicated GPS. And for riders who care more about documenting trips than navigation, a vibration-conscious camera mount may be the most useful add-on of all.
1. Handlebar Phone Mounts (Best Overall)
The handlebar is still the best starting point for most Heritage Softail owners. There is usable bar space, the device is easy to see, and installation is usually straightforward. On this bike, a handlebar setup tends to feel natural rather than improvised.
That makes it a strong fit for both universal cradle systems and locking ecosystems. A traditional cradle mount works well if you switch phones often or use different cases. A system like Quad Lock makes more sense if you want a more integrated phone-specific setup and are willing to commit to the matching case or adapter.
For riders who want a tough, proven universal option, RAM still makes a lot of sense here. The X-Grip remains popular because it is adjustable, easy to reposition, and widely available in motorcycle-ready setups. RAM’s motorcycle lineup also continues to cover Harley-compatible handlebar and reservoir mounting hardware, which makes the brand hard to ignore for cruiser installs.
Quad Lock is the cleaner modern alternative for phone-only use. Its motorcycle handlebar mounts remain a strong option, and the system now includes motorcycle-specific add-ons like the vibration dampener, which is especially relevant for riders concerned about modern smartphone camera stabilization. These require a custom case to lock onto the mount.
A motorcycle-ready handlebar mount is still the easiest and most versatile setup for this bike. We recommend RAM, but Quad Lock is also an excellent choice here.
2. Brake and Clutch Reservoir Mounts (Best Clean Look)
If you want a cleaner cockpit, reservoir mounting is the next place to look. A reservoir mount can hold a phone or smaller GPS in a very usable position without taking up prime handlebar space. On a cruiser like the Heritage Softail, that can produce a more refined look than a larger bar clamp mount.
The tradeoff is installation complexity. Reservoir hardware is not difficult if you are comfortable working carefully with the controls, but it is still a more exact job than a simple handlebar clamp. RAM continues to offer reservoir-based X-Grip and base options for motorcycles, including brake/clutch hardware designed around 1-inch ball systems.
This type of setup is usually best for riders who know they want a smaller, more deliberate cockpit layout. It is less about maximum flexibility and more about making the bike look organized.
3. GPS Mounts for Garmin and Similar Units
The Heritage Softail is also a very good motorcycle for dedicated GPS mounting. Some riders still prefer a purpose-built GPS over a phone, especially for longer rides, gloved use, or weather resistance. The big split here is between motorcycle GPS units like the Garmin Zumo and automotive Garmin models like the Nuvi or Drive.
A Zumo-style setup is the easier one to understand. Motorcycle GPS products are already designed for bike mounting, and many riders pair them with RAM-style hardware or another bar-friendly system. That route still makes sense.
The older automotive Garmin route is where the 17mm ball becomes important. Many Garmin Nuvi and Drive cradles use a 17mm socket on the back, which is why those ball-style motorcycle mounts became so common. On a Heritage Softail, that setup can work well if you already own the GPS and want a cost-effective upgrade path.
The main thing to keep in mind is that cruiser visibility is forgiving, but you still do not want the device sitting so high or wide that it starts interfering with your natural scan of the road.
A motorcycle-ready handlebar mount is still the easiest and most versatile setup for this bike. Garmin makes a solid option for their Zumo line.
4. Camera Mounts (Best for Ride Footage)
Action cameras are where people often make bad buying decisions. A cheap plastic handlebar camera mount may look fine on paper, but on a motorcycle it often produces shaky footage and a generally disappointing setup. The Heritage Softail is smoother than some bikes, but vibration still matters.
That is why sturdier metal mounting systems tend to make more sense for cameras than generic budget clamps. The goal is not just to keep the camera attached. It is to keep the footage usable.
For this bike, handlebar-based camera mounting is usually the easiest route, but placement matters. If the camera sits too low, you may not get the angle you want. If it sits too far out, it can feel exposed and awkward. A modest, well-positioned camera mount tends to work best on cruisers.
The handlebar is the preferred location for mounting a camera.
Should You Use a Phone Instead of a GPS?
For many Heritage Softail riders, the answer is yes. Modern phones are easier to update, easier to search on, and often better integrated with live traffic apps. That is one reason phone mounting has overtaken GPS mounting for a lot of riders.
The caution is durability. If you are going to run a phone on a motorcycle regularly, the case and mount matter more than they do in a car. A vibration-conscious setup is smart, and so is some level of weather awareness. That does not automatically mean you need the heaviest case on the market, but it does mean motorcycle use should be treated as its own environment.
On a Heritage Softail, a good phone setup is often the most practical answer. On longer touring-style rides or for riders who prefer a dedicated navigation device, a GPS can still be the better choice.
Common Mounting Problems on the Heritage Softail
- Choosing a mount that technically fits the bar but looks oversized on the bike
- Mounting the phone too close to the controls and creating clutter
- Using a cheap camera mount that does not manage vibration well
- Ignoring the benefits of reservoir mounting when the handlebar starts feeling crowded
- Assuming every universal mount is equally suitable for motorcycle use
Best Mount by Use Case
- Best overall: Handlebar phone mount
- Best clean install: Brake/clutch reservoir mount
- Best for dedicated navigation: GPS mount with appropriate cradle
- Best for ride footage: Metal handlebar camera mount
Bottom Line
The Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail is one of the friendlier motorcycles for mounting gear, and that is a real advantage. The open bar layout and clean cruiser cockpit give you more practical choices than many other bikes.
For most riders, a handlebar phone mount is the best place to start. It is easy to see, easy to reach, and a natural fit for the bike. If you want something cleaner, a reservoir setup is usually the next best answer. And if your priority is navigation or video, the Heritage Softail still supports dedicated GPS and camera mounting better than many motorcycles do.
The best result is usually not the biggest or most complex mount. It is the one that looks like it belongs there and still works well every time you ride.
