The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic is a full-size touring motorcycle with plenty of cockpit structure, but that does not automatically make phone and GPS mounting easy. Between the fairing, gauges, windscreen, handlebar shape, clutch/brake perch, and limited open handlebar space, the right mounting location matters.
This is not a bike where a cheap plastic bicycle-style mount belongs. The Electra Glide Ultra Classic is heavy, powerful, and built for long-distance riding. It also creates vibration, wind load, and road shock that can loosen weak mounts quickly. If you are mounting an expensive phone or GPS unit on this motorcycle, the mount needs to be built for motorcycle use.
The best locations are still the handlebar and clutch/brake perch area. A handlebar mount is the simplest install. A clutch or brake perch mount usually looks cleaner and places the device closer to the rider’s natural viewing angle. A gas tank mount is technically possible, but it looks awkward on this bike and places the device too low for routine navigation. A camera mount in the main cockpit area is also not ideal because the fairing and windscreen limit useful angles.
Interior/cockpit reference for Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic Mounting Analysis
The Electra Glide Ultra Classic has two mounting zones that make sense: the handlebar and the clutch/brake control mount area. Both are strong, both are reachable, and both can support a phone or GPS with the right hardware.
The handlebar is the easiest location. Most Electra Glide Ultra Classic handlebars are around 1.25 inches in diameter, so a quality U-bolt or clamp-style mount works well. The challenge is space. Because the cockpit is filled with controls, switches, gauges, and fairing structure, the mount needs enough adjustability to position the device upward and inward without blocking anything important.
The clutch or brake perch is often the cleaner location. This uses the existing control mount bolts and places the device closer to the rider’s line of sight. It also avoids crowding the limited exposed handlebar space. The downside is installation. A perch mount requires removing and replacing control bolts, so it is slightly more involved than a handlebar clamp. If you are not comfortable working around your controls, have a mechanic install it.
GPS mounting depends on the device. Garmin Zumo units usually ship with motorcycle-friendly hardware and are designed for this environment. Many Garmin Drive or Nuvi-style automotive GPS units use a 17mm socket on the back of the cradle, which means you need a motorcycle mount with a 17mm ball. Do not assume every motorcycle phone mount will work with a GPS cradle.
Phone mounting has another issue: vibration protection. Modern smartphone cameras can be sensitive to motorcycle vibration. If you use your phone regularly on a motorcycle, consider a mount system with vibration damping, or use a dedicated GPS for longer touring rides. At a minimum, use a secure case and a mount with real retention.
Best mounting locations on the Electra Glide Ultra Classic:
- Handlebar: Best for simple installation and complete kits like RAM X-Grip.
- Clutch or brake perch: Best for a cleaner, more integrated cockpit setup.
- 17mm GPS ball mount: Best for Garmin Drive, Nuvi, and similar GPS cradles.
Mounting locations to avoid:
- Gas tank: Too low and awkward for navigation on this bike.
- Cheap plastic bar mounts: Not built for Harley touring vibration.
- Loose magnetic-only mounts: Not enough security for highway riding unless part of a proven locking system.
- Camera mounts in the cockpit: The fairing and windscreen make useful camera angles difficult.
Best Phone and GPS Mounts for Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic
1. RAM Mounts X-Grip Handlebar Kit – Best Overall Phone Mount
This is the first mount most Electra Glide Ultra Classic owners should consider. The mount is a complete motorcycle handlebar kit. It includes the U-bolt handlebar base, medium double socket arm, and the standard RAM X-Grip phone holder. That is the right way to buy this setup because you are not piecing together random components.
The standard X-Grip is best for normal-size phones and many phones in moderate cases. The U-bolt base fits bars up to 1.25 inches, which matches the usual handlebar range on this bike. The double socket arm lets you angle the phone upward from the vertical handlebar area, which is important on the Electra Glide because open bar space is limited.
This mount also includes the rubber tether, and on a motorcycle that tether should not be optional. Use it. The X-Grip holds well, but the tether adds the extra security you want on a heavy touring bike at highway speed.
2. RAM Mounts X-Grip Large Handlebar Kit – Best for Large Phones
If you use a large phone, especially an iPhone Pro Max, Samsung Ultra, or a phone in a thick case, the RAM-B-149Z-UN10U is the better choice. It uses the larger X-Grip cradle while keeping the same basic handlebar mounting concept.
This is the mount to choose if your phone feels tight in the standard X-Grip or if you run a heavy-duty protective case. The Electra Glide Ultra Classic is a touring bike, so many riders use larger phones for navigation, music, weather, and ride apps. A bigger cradle gives more room and a better hold for those setups.
Like the smaller RAM kit, this should be mounted on the vertical or slightly angled exposed handlebar area, then adjusted upward using the arm. Do not mount it where it interferes with switches, mirrors, clutch operation, or gauge visibility.
3. Tackform Brake/Clutch Reservoir Phone Mount – Best Perch Mount
The Tackform brake and clutch reservoir phone mount is the best current perch-style option for this motorcycle. Instead of clamping to the handlebar, it uses the brake or clutch reservoir bolt location. That gives the mount a factory-like placement and keeps the handlebar less cluttered.
This is a better-looking solution than a basic clamp mount. It is also very secure because it uses the control mount hardware rather than relying on friction around the bar. The Tackform mount uses billet aluminum construction and a strong spring cradle, which is the right kind of build quality for a Harley touring motorcycle.
The main tradeoff is installation. You are working with control hardware, so follow the instructions carefully and do not rush. If you are unsure, let a motorcycle mechanic install it. Once mounted properly, this is one of the cleanest phone positions for the Electra Glide Ultra Classic.
4. Techmount Universal Motorcycle Control Mount – Best Traditional Harley Control Mount
The Techmount universal motorcycle control mount has been around for a reason. It is a strong choice for Harley riders who prefer mounting from the clutch or brake control area and want a rugged system that does not look like a cheap add-on.
This style of mount replaces or works with the control mount bolts and positions the phone close to the rider. That works well on the Electra Glide Ultra Classic because exposed handlebar space can be tight. It also keeps the device away from the lower parts of the cockpit where it would be harder to see.
The Techmount setup is especially useful if you want a phone holder that feels more motorcycle-specific than a generic handlebar clamp. The install is a bit more involved, but the finished result is cleaner and more stable.
5. Rokform Motorcycle Perch Mount – Best Locking Case-Based System
Rokform is a strong choice if you want a case-based locking system instead of a spring cradle or X-Grip. The Rokform perch mount is designed to fit many Harley, metric, and Indian cruiser clutch perch bolt patterns, and it uses the RokLock system with compatible Rokform cases or adapters.
This is a cleaner and more modern setup than a universal cradle. The phone locks into the mount instead of being squeezed by arms. That makes it fast to attach and remove while still feeling secure. It also looks more refined on a touring bike than many oversized clamp mounts.
The limitation is that Rokform works best when you commit to the ecosystem. You need a compatible case or universal adapter. If you change phones often and do not want a dedicated case, RAM or Tackform may be more flexible. If you already like case-based mounting, Rokform is a strong option.
6. Arkon Premium Aluminum Motorcycle Garmin GPS Mount – Best for Garmin Drive and Nuvi GPS Units
If you are mounting a Garmin Drive, Nuvi, or similar automotive-style Garmin GPS with a 17mm socket cradle, the Arkon premium aluminum motorcycle mount is the simple answer. It provides the 17mm ball pattern that snaps into many Garmin cradles.
This is not for Garmin Zumo motorcycle GPS units that already use motorcycle-specific mounting hardware. It is for riders who still prefer a Garmin automotive GPS and want to mount it securely on the bike. The aluminum construction is important because a plastic GPS mount is not the right choice for a Harley touring motorcycle.
On the Electra Glide Ultra Classic, mount this to the handlebar and position the GPS where it does not block gauges or the fairing controls. Use a tether if possible. A GPS is heavier than a phone, and redundancy is smart on a motorcycle.
Common Mounting Problems on the Electra Glide Ultra Classic
- Using cheap plastic mounts: Motorcycle vibration can loosen or break low-end mounts quickly.
- Choosing the wrong X-Grip size: Standard phones usually fit the UN7 kit, but large phones in thick cases need the UN10 kit.
- Ignoring the tether: Use the safety tether on RAM X-Grip mounts, especially at highway speeds.
- Blocking gauges or mirrors: The fairing cockpit is busy, so placement needs to be tested before final tightening.
- Overtightening control bolts: Perch mounts must be installed carefully so you do not damage controls or create alignment issues.
- Mounting a phone without vibration consideration: Modern smartphone cameras can be sensitive to motorcycle vibration, so use quality mounts and consider a dedicated GPS for long touring rides.
Installation Tips
- Check your phone width and case thickness before choosing RAM-B-149Z-UN7U or RAM-B-149Z-UN10U.
- Use the included RAM tether every time you ride.
- Place handlebar mounts on the vertical or angled exposed bar area where the arm can adjust upward.
- Use a perch mount if you want a cleaner cockpit and less handlebar clutter.
- Confirm that the mount does not interfere with mirrors, clutch travel, brake access, switches, or gauge visibility.
- Use thread locker where the mount manufacturer recommends it.
- Re-check all mount hardware after the first few rides.
- For Garmin automotive GPS units, confirm that your cradle uses the 17mm socket before buying a GPS-specific mount.
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 Electra Glide Ultra Classic deserves a real motorcycle mount, not a cheap plastic clamp. For most riders, the best choice is the RAM X-Grip because it is a complete handlebar kit with the base, arm, and standard X-Grip phone holder included.
If you want a cleaner cockpit, skip the handlebar clamp and use a clutch or brake perch mount. The Tackform perch mount is the best modern choice, while the Techmount control mount is a proven traditional option. If you are using a Garmin Drive or Nuvi-style GPS, the Arkon aluminum 17mm handlebar mount is the correct type of mount to consider.
Do not overthink the mounting location. Handlebar and perch mounts are the winners on this bike. Gas tank mounts, weak plastic mounts, and awkward camera positions are not worth it.
