The Harley-Davidson Breakout is one of the most visually distinctive bikes in the Softail lineup. The stretched-out profile, fat rear tire, and minimalist cockpit design are what make it stand out, and those same design choices affect how you mount a phone.
The Breakout has a narrower handlebar than most other Harley models and a low, laid-back riding position that changes the ergonomics of where your phone should sit. Get the placement right and the setup looks like it belongs on the bike. Get it wrong and it looks cluttered on a bike that was built to look clean.
This guide covers the best phone mounts for the Harley-Davidson Breakout across all model years (FXSB, FXBR, FXBRS, and FXBR 117), with specific attention to what works on the narrower 1-inch handlebar and why the brake reservoir location is the preferred mounting point for most Breakout riders.
Quick Comparison: Best Phone Mounts for Harley-Davidson Breakout
| Mount | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tackform Reservoir Mount with Phone Cradle | Best Overall / Cleanest Install | Brake Reservoir |
| Tackform Reservoir Ball Mount | Best for GPS / Modular Setup | Brake Reservoir |
| RAM X-Grip Handlebar Kit | Best Handlebar Mount | Handlebar |
| Quad Lock Handlebar Mount | Best Premium / Twist-Lock | Handlebar |
The Breakout’s 1-Inch Handlebar: Why It Matters
Most Harley-Davidson cruisers use a 1.25-inch diameter handlebar. The Breakout uses a 1-inch (25.4mm) handlebar, which is narrower and requires slightly different attention when choosing a handlebar mount. Many motorcycle mounts are designed around the more common 1.25-inch Harley standard and will not clamp securely to a 1-inch bar without an adapter or shim.
The good news is that RAM and Quad Lock both accommodate 1-inch bars. The RAM X-Grip handlebar kits fit bars from 0.5 inch to 1.25 inch using included hardware, and the Quad Lock handlebar mount includes a 25mm spacer that fits the Breakout’s bar diameter exactly. Always verify bar diameter compatibility when ordering any handlebar mount for the Breakout.
The other consideration is available handlebar real estate. The Breakout’s low, wide bars have a reasonable amount of space, but the minimalist design of the bike means most riders prefer not to clutter the bars with a large mount. The brake reservoir location, described below, tends to look far cleaner on the Breakout than a handlebar-mounted solution.
Best Overall: Tackform Brake Reservoir Mount with Phone Cradle
The brake reservoir mounting location is the most popular choice for Breakout riders who care about the aesthetics of their setup. The brake reservoir bolts on the right side of the handlebar are replaced with slightly longer stainless steel bolts that accommodate the added depth of the mount base, and the result is a phone position that sits naturally within the rider’s sightline without adding anything to the handlebars themselves.
The Tackform reservoir mount with phone cradle is the most complete solution in this category. The base plate is CNC machined from billet aluminum, the hardware is stainless steel, and the spring-loaded 20MAXX cradle holds any phone in any case up to 3.7 inches wide. The 3.5-inch reach arm positions the phone at a comfortable viewing distance from the reservoir, and the 20mm ball-and-socket connection allows full angle adjustment once the base is bolted in.
Harley-Davidson forum members consistently recommend Tackform as one of the two best reservoir mount solutions for Harley models alongside Quad Lock, and for riders who do not want a case-specific ecosystem, Tackform’s universal cradle is the easier daily-use option. RAM Mounts also explicitly lists the Softail Breakout in their confirmed compatibility list for reservoir mounting.
View Tackform Reservoir Mount with Cradle on Amazon
Best for GPS and Modular Setups: Tackform Reservoir Ball Mount
If you want to mount a Garmin GPS or build a modular setup around the brake reservoir location, the Tackform reservoir ball mount is the base-only version that terminates in a 20mm ball rather than a complete phone cradle. From the 20mm ball you can add any Tackform cradle, a Garmin GPS cradle, a RAM adapter, or any other accessory that uses a standard ball connection.
This is the right choice for riders who already own a Garmin GPS with a 17mm or 20mm socket cradle, or for those who want to mix and match different holders at different times without replacing the base. The CNC billet aluminum construction and stainless steel hardware are the same as the complete cradle version.
View Tackform Reservoir Ball Mount on Amazon
Best Handlebar Mount: RAM X-Grip Kit
For Breakout riders who prefer the handlebar position, the RAM X-Grip handlebar kit is the most proven option for the 1-inch bar. The U-bolt base clamps around the handlebar, the double socket arm allows angle adjustment, and the spring-loaded X-Grip cradle holds any phone in any case with a safety tether included. RAM explicitly confirms the Softail Breakout FXBRS and FXBR as compatible models in their fitment database.
The X-Grip standard size holds phones from 1.875 to 3.25 inches wide. For larger phones in thick cases, the RAM X-Grip Large version handles up to 4.5 inches wide. Both versions use the same U-bolt handlebar base and are interchangeable on the same bike. RAM backs these mounts with a lifetime warranty.
View RAM X-Grip Handlebar Kit on Amazon
Best Premium Handlebar Option: Quad Lock Handlebar Mount
For Breakout riders who want the cleanest-looking handlebar mount with the most secure phone connection, the Quad Lock handlebar mount is the premium choice. The mount includes a 25mm spacer that fits the Breakout’s 1-inch handlebar exactly, and the dual-stage twist-lock mechanism provides one of the most secure phone-to-mount connections available. The chrome finish option is worth considering for Breakout owners who have chrome accents throughout the build.
The trade-off, as with all Quad Lock products, is that you need a Quad Lock compatible case or universal adapter for your phone. If you already use Quad Lock in your vehicle or on another bike, adding the Breakout handlebar mount is straightforward. The extension arm included in the kit provides additional height off the bar, which helps with sightline on the Breakout’s low riding position.
View Quad Lock Handlebar Mount on Amazon
Breakout Model Year Guide
The Breakout has run through several model designations since its introduction. The mounting solutions in this guide are confirmed for all of them:
FXSB Breakout (2013-2017): The original Breakout on the Softail chassis. Standard 1-inch handlebar. Brake reservoir mounting is confirmed for this generation.
FXBR and FXBRS Breakout 114 (2018-2023): Moved to the Milwaukee-Eight engine on the revised Softail chassis. Still 1-inch handlebars. RAM Mounts explicitly lists FXBRS in their Harley-Davidson compatibility database. All mounts in this guide confirmed for this generation.
FXBR Breakout 117 (2023 and newer): Updated to the 117 cubic inch engine. Same chassis and handlebar arrangement as the 114. All mounts in this guide are confirmed compatible.
What to Avoid on the Breakout
Mounts designed for 1.25-inch bars without adapters. The Breakout’s 1-inch bar is narrower than the standard Harley handlebar. A mount sized for 1.25 inches will not clamp securely and will rotate on the bar. Always verify bar diameter compatibility before ordering.
Large, bulky cradle mounts that clash with the minimalist aesthetic. The Breakout is a bike where the visual impact of your setup matters. A massive plastic cradle mount sticking up from the bars competes with the clean lines of the bike. The reservoir mount, Quad Lock, or a low-profile RAM setup all integrate better with the Breakout’s design intent.
Suction cup mounts on the tank or any smooth surface. Engine vibration on any Harley will eventually compromise a suction cup. The Milwaukee-Eight engine in the 2018 and newer Breakout is smoother than older engines but still transmits enough vibration to loosen adhesive and suction connections over time.
Cheap plastic bicycle mounts. The bar diameter on a Breakout may match some bicycle mounts, but bicycle mounts are not built for motorcycle vibration levels. They crack, loosen, and fail in ways that can result in a phone hitting the road at highway speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What diameter is the Harley-Davidson Breakout handlebar?
The Breakout uses a 1-inch (25.4mm) handlebar, which is narrower than most other Harley models that use 1.25-inch bars. Verify bar diameter compatibility before ordering any handlebar mount.
Is the brake reservoir mount difficult to install?
It is more involved than a handlebar clamp but straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic wrenching. You remove the two existing reservoir bolts, slide the mount base plate in place, and install the included longer stainless steel bolts. Most riders complete the installation in 15 to 20 minutes. If not comfortable with mechanical work, any dealer can install it quickly.
Will the Tackform mount fit both the left and right reservoir?
The Tackform reservoir mount is designed for the brake reservoir on the right side of the handlebar. The clutch reservoir on the left side has different bolt spacing on some models. Tackform lists compatible models on their website and includes hardware for both Harley and metric bolt patterns.
Does the Quad Lock handlebar mount come in chrome?
Yes. Quad Lock offers the handlebar mount in a chrome finish specifically for Harley-Davidson applications. This matches the chrome accents on many Breakout builds. The chrome version uses the same mounting hardware and is compatible with all Quad Lock cases and adapters.
Will these mounts work on a CVO Breakout?
Yes. The CVO Breakout uses the same chassis and handlebar dimensions as the standard Breakout. All four mounts in this guide are confirmed compatible with CVO models.
Do I need a vibration dampener on a Breakout?
The Milwaukee-Eight engine (2018 and newer) is significantly smoother than older Harley powerplants due to its counter-balancing system. Most riders do not experience problematic vibration levels at the handlebar. If you use a current iPhone and ride frequently, adding a Quad Lock vibration dampener is still good practice given Apple’s guidance on motorcycle vibration and camera hardware.
