The Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited looks like it should be easy to mount a phone or GPS on because it is such a large touring motorcycle. The reality is different. The cockpit is big, but it is also crowded. The fairing, infotainment display, gauges, windscreen, handlebar controls, mirrors, and sloped handlebar all compete for space.
This is not a motorcycle where a cheap clamp mount belongs. The Ultra Limited is a heavy touring bike that sees highway speeds, vibration, long-distance rides, weather, and constant road shock. If the mount is weak, too short, poorly positioned, or made for bicycles, it does not belong here.
The best mounting locations are the brake or clutch perch and the handlebar. The perch location is usually cleaner because it uses the existing control mount hardware and avoids fighting the sloped handlebar. The handlebar can still work, but the mount needs enough adjustment to bring the phone upward and inward without blocking controls or gauges.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited Mounting Analysis
The Ultra Limited has a very different cockpit than a stripped-down cruiser. There is more structure, but not necessarily more open mounting space. The handlebar slopes inward and downward toward the center, which means a short mount can place the phone too low or at an awkward angle. A mount with a good arm and multiple adjustment points is important.
The brake and clutch perch area is often the best location. A perch mount replaces or works with the factory control bolts and creates a strong mounting point close to the rider’s natural line of sight. This keeps the phone away from the center fairing and avoids crowding the handlebar. It is slightly more involved to install than a clamp mount, but the finished result is usually cleaner.
The handlebar is still usable, especially if you choose a complete motorcycle-specific kit with a U-bolt base and adjustable arm. The mount needs to fit around the bar securely and provide enough lift to position the device properly. A short, rigid, plastic mount will not work well here.
A dedicated GPS requires a slightly different strategy. Garmin Zumo units are built for motorcycle use and typically include motorcycle mounting hardware. Garmin Drive and older Nuvi-style units usually use a 17mm socket on the back of the cradle, so those need a 17mm ball mount instead of a phone cradle.
A camera mount is not a great primary recommendation for the Ultra Limited cockpit. The fairing and windscreen create awkward angles, and anything that reaches high enough to clear them can become tall, ugly, and vibration-prone. If you want action camera footage, look at crash bar, engine guard, or other bike-specific camera locations instead of forcing one into the main cockpit.
Best mounting locations on the Ultra Limited:
- Brake or clutch perch: Best overall location for a clean phone mount.
- Handlebar: Works with a complete RAM-style kit and enough adjustment.
- Garmin GPS mount point: Works well if using the right cradle and ball size.
- Accessory ball system: Useful if you want to swap between phone, GPS, and camera adapters.
Mounting locations to avoid:
- Cheap bicycle mounts: Not built for Harley touring vibration.
- Tank mounts: Too low and awkward for navigation on this bike.
- Oversized camera arms: Too much height and vibration near the fairing.
- Weak magnetic-only mounts: Not enough retention unless part of a proven locking system.
- Short handlebar mounts: Often place the phone too low because of the bar angle.
Best Phone and GPS Mounts for Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
1. Tackform Brake/Clutch Reservoir Motorcycle Phone Mount – Best Overall Perch Mount
The Tackform brake and clutch reservoir mount is the first option I would look at for a Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited. It uses the control mount area instead of clamping to the sloped handlebar, which gives it a cleaner and more natural position in this cockpit.
This is a strong match for the Ultra Limited because the bike already has a busy fairing and limited open handlebar space. A perch mount keeps the phone close to the rider, avoids the windshield area, and reduces clutter. Tackform also uses aluminum construction and a strong spring cradle, which is the right kind of hardware for a heavy touring motorcycle.
The 3.5-inch arm gives enough reach for positioning without becoming excessive. That matters. Long arms can increase vibration and make the setup look sloppy. This mount gives you enough adjustment while keeping the phone tight to the cockpit.
2. Rokform Motorcycle Perch Mount – Best Locking Case-Based Mount
The Rokform motorcycle perch mount is the best choice if you prefer a locking case-based system instead of a spring cradle. It is designed to fit many Harley, metric, and Indian cruiser perch bolt patterns, and it uses the RokLock system with compatible Rokform cases or adapters.
This is a clean setup for an Ultra Limited because it does not wrap a large cradle around the phone. The phone locks into place, which gives the cockpit a more refined look than many universal holders. For riders who care about a clean touring-bike cockpit, that matters.
The tradeoff is ecosystem commitment. You need a Rokform case or compatible adapter. If you switch phones often or do not want a dedicated case, Tackform or RAM may be easier. If you already use Rokform, this is one of the cleanest Harley-style mounting choices.
3. RAM Mounts X-Grip Handlebar Kit – Best Handlebar Mount
If you want a handlebar mount instead of a perch mount, use a complete RAM kit rather than buying separate parts. The mount includes the handlebar U-bolt base, socket arm, and X-Grip cradle in one package.
This is the handlebar option that makes sense for the Ultra Limited because it gives you a real motorcycle-grade base and enough adjustment to compensate for the sloped bar shape. The large cradle is also better for today’s bigger phones and heavier cases.
Mount this carefully. Do not place it where it blocks switches, mirrors, gauges, or the infotainment display. Because the handlebar slopes, you may need to use the arm to bring the phone upward into a better viewing angle. That is exactly why a ball-and-socket system is better than a fixed clamp.
4. RAM Quick-Grip Pro Vibration Damping Handlebar Mount – Best Newer RAM Phone Mount
The RAM Quick-Grip Pro vibration damping handlebar mount is a more modern alternative to the X-Grip. The big advantage is the integrated vibration damping design and updated phone cradle. For riders worried about phone camera vibration, that matters.
This is a better fit for a rider who wants RAM durability but prefers a different cradle style than the X-Grip. It also has a cleaner phone loading action than the old four-arm X-Grip design. On an Ultra Limited, use it on the handlebar only if you have enough space and can position the phone without blocking controls.
The handlebar position is still second to the perch location on this bike, but if you prefer a bar mount and want a newer system, this is one of the strongest current choices.
5. Arkon Premium Aluminum Motorcycle GPS Mount with 17mm Ball – Best for Garmin Drive and Nuvi GPS Units
Many riders still prefer a dedicated GPS instead of relying entirely on a phone. If you are using a Garmin Drive, Nuvi, or similar automotive GPS with a 17mm socket cradle, this Arkon aluminum motorcycle GPS mount is the correct type of mount.
This is not meant for Garmin Zumo units that already come with motorcycle-specific hardware. It is for the automotive-style Garmin cradles that snap onto a 17mm ball. The aluminum construction makes it much more appropriate for motorcycle use than a plastic car-style mount.
On the Ultra Limited, this mount should be positioned carefully so the GPS does not block the main display, gauges, or windscreen view. If you are doing long touring rides, a dedicated GPS can still make sense because it saves phone battery and keeps navigation separate from calls, music, and messaging.
Common Mounting Problems on the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
- Sloped handlebar placement: Short mounts can leave the phone too low or angled poorly.
- Crowded cockpit: The fairing, gauges, switches, mirrors, and infotainment screen leave less open space than expected.
- Wrong phone cradle size: Large phones in thick cases need a larger holder than older phones did.
- Ignoring vibration: Touring bikes still create enough vibration to loosen cheap mounts or affect phone cameras.
- Blocking gauges or controls: Always check full steering movement and access to switches before riding.
- Using bicycle mounts: They are not designed for the weight, speed, and vibration of a Harley touring motorcycle.
- Forcing a camera into the cockpit: The fairing and windscreen make cockpit camera mounting awkward.
Installation Tips
- Start with a brake or clutch perch mount if you want the cleanest cockpit setup.
- Use a handlebar mount only if you have enough open bar space and enough arm adjustment.
- Choose a large phone cradle if you use a Pro Max, Samsung Ultra, or thick protective case.
- Use the RAM tether whenever using an X-Grip phone holder.
- Check mirror clearance before tightening a perch mount.
- Turn the bars fully left and right after installation to confirm nothing hits.
- Use thread locker only where the mount manufacturer recommends it.
- Recheck mount tightness after the first few rides.
Related Mount Guides
- Motorcycle Mounts Hub
- Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts
- Motorcycle GPS Mounts
- RAM X-Grip Mount Guide
- How to Attach a GPS to a Motorcycle
- Motorcycle Camera Mounts
Bottom Line
The Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is not short on cockpit size, but it is short on clean mounting space. The best solution is usually a brake or clutch perch mount. The Tackform perch mount is the best overall pick because it gives the phone a strong, clean, well-positioned mounting point without fighting the sloped handlebar.
If you prefer a locking case-based setup, use the Rokform perch mount. If you want RAM, choose the RAM brake/clutch X-Grip setup or the handlebar kit for larger phones. For a newer RAM option with vibration damping, the Quick-Grip Pro is worth considering.
For GPS, use the proper mount for the device. Garmin Zumo users can use motorcycle-specific hardware, while Garmin Drive and Nuvi users should use a 17mm ball mount like the Arkon aluminum motorcycle GPS mount. Skip cheap mounts and awkward camera arms. This bike deserves hardware that matches the ride.
