The Kawasaki Vulcan is one of the more approachable motorcycles when it comes to mounting a phone or GPS. Wide cruiser bars, accessible cockpit layout, and plenty of mounting real estate across the lineup make this easier than most sportbikes or faired tourers.
The catch is that Vulcan riders aren’t all riding the same bike. The Vulcan S, with its adjustable ergonomics and tighter cockpit, is a different mounting challenge than the wide-open bars of a Vulcan 900. The Vulcan 1700 Voyager, with its full fairing and touring setup, is different again. The right mount depends on which Vulcan you’re actually riding.
This guide covers the five best mounting solutions for the Kawasaki Vulcan lineup, broken down by use case, and what to watch for on each model.
How the Vulcan Lineup Affects Your Mount Choice
The Vulcan family spans everything from lightweight entry-level cruisers to full touring machines, and the cockpit layout changes significantly between them. Before buying anything, it helps to know which category your bike falls into.
The Vulcan S runs a relatively compact cockpit by cruiser standards. Kawasaki’s Ergo-Fit system makes it adjustable for different rider sizes, but that also means the handlebar position varies from bike to bike. A mount that works perfectly at the stock handlebar setting may sit awkwardly after a rider has dialed in their ergonomics. Compact mounts with good adjustability work best here.
The Vulcan 900 is the most forgiving of the group. Classic cruiser bars sit wide and high with plenty of exposed bar space between the grips and the risers. Almost any quality handlebar mount will find a home on this bike without interference issues.
The Vulcan 1700 and Voyager introduce fairing-mounted gauges, more controls, and in the Voyager’s case, a full touring windscreen. The handlebar still has usable space, but a clutch or brake reservoir mount often produces a cleaner, more natural viewing position on these bikes than a bar clamp does.
Best Phone and GPS Mounts for the Kawasaki Vulcan
| Mount | Best For | Key Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| RAM X-Grip Handlebar Kit | Most riders, all Vulcan models | Must select correct X-Grip size for your phone |
| RAM Quick-Grip Pro | Riders who want one-handed operation and vibration damping | Newer product — verify star rating before publishing |
| Tackform Enduro Reservoir Mount | Clean installs, Vulcan 1700 and Voyager | Slightly off-center position |
| Rokform Pro Perch Mount | Riders who want a locking aluminum system | Requires Rokform case or universal adapter |
| Arkon 17mm GPS Mount | Dedicated Garmin GPS units | Phone-only riders don’t need this |
RAM X-Grip Handlebar Kit — Best Overall
The RAM X-Grip handlebar kit has been the default recommendation for cruiser riders for over a decade, and it earns that reputation on the Vulcan lineup. This is a complete kit including the handlebar U-bolt base, double-socket arm, and X-Grip cradle. This works straight out of the box on every Vulcan model without additional hardware.
The X-Grip cradle uses four spring-loaded arms that grip the corners of the phone. It’s not a case-specific system, which means it works with any phone, any case, and any future phone you upgrade to. That universality is its biggest advantage over proprietary locking systems. Swap to a new phone and the mount still works.
On the Vulcan 900, this kit is about as plug-and-play as motorcycle mounting gets. The wide cruiser bars give you a natural center mounting position that keeps the phone directly in your sightline without reaching. On the Vulcan S, you’ll want to pay closer attention to arm angle and placement so the mount doesn’t crowd the controls.
- Complete kit — base, arm, and cradle included
- Works with any phone regardless of case or size
- U-bolt base fits handlebars from 0.5 to 1.25 inches in diameter
- Double-socket arm allows precise repositioning without tools
- Multiple X-Grip cradle sizes available — select the one that matches your phone width
View RAM X-Grip Handlebar Kit on Amazon →
RAM Quick-Grip Pro — Best Modern Upgrade
RAM’s Quick-Grip Pro is the newest generation of their phone mounting system, released in 2025, and it addresses the two main complaints riders had about the original X-Grip — vibration transfer and one-handed operation.
The Pro series features integrated Vibe-Safe vibration damping built directly into the cradle. This matters more than it sounds. Standard cruiser engines produce significant low-frequency vibration at idle and moderate speeds, and that vibration can degrade phone cameras over time. The damping layer absorbs the frequencies that cause the most wear, which makes the Quick-Grip Pro a smarter long-term choice for daily riders.
The spring-loaded design allows one-handed phone insertion and removal, which is something the X-Grip doesn’t offer. You can drop the phone in at a light without fumbling with the cradle arms. The side supports are overmolded with rubber to prevent slip without marring the phone surface.
An added bonus for iPhone users: the Quick-Grip Pro includes an integrated cavity for an Apple MagSafe puck. If you want wireless charging while you ride, this is the only handlebar mount in this list that supports it natively without an adapter.
- Integrated Vibe-Safe vibration damping protects phone cameras on long rides
- Spring-loaded one-handed insertion and removal
- Rubber-overmolded side arms grip without scratching
- Built-in MagSafe cavity for wireless charging with an Apple MagSafe puck (sold separately)
- Clamp range covers 0.625 to 1.14 inch diameter bars
View RAM Quick-Grip Pro on Amazon →
Tackform Enduro Reservoir Mount — Best Clean Install
The Tackform Enduro reservoir mount is the right choice when you want the phone close to the cockpit without a clamp on the handlebar. It replaces the existing bolts on your brake or clutch master cylinder reservoir — no drilling, no adhesive, no permanent changes to the bike.
The construction is CNC billet aluminum, which puts it in a different category from the cast zinc or plastic bases you’ll find on cheaper reservoir mounts at the same price point. The included 3.5-inch arm is all-metal with sleeved cradle pins designed to reduce vibration buzz, which is a real problem with lesser hardware on V-twin engines.
On the Vulcan 1700 and Voyager, where the handlebar real estate is more crowded, the reservoir mount’s proximity to the hand controls gives you a viewing position that feels more natural than a bar clamp mounted further out. The phone ends up closer, lower, and more integrated into the riding position rather than floating out on an arm.
- CNC billet aluminum — significantly more rigid than cast or plastic alternatives
- Installs using existing reservoir bolt hardware on either side
- 3.5-inch all-metal arm with vibration-damping pin sleeves
- Compatible with phones up to 7 inches wide, with or without a case
- No permanent modification required
View Tackform Reservoir Mount on Amazon →
Rokform Pro Perch Mount — Best Locking System
The Rokform Pro Perch Mount takes a fundamentally different approach from every other option in this guide. Instead of a cradle that grips the outside of the phone, it uses a twist-lock connection directly into a Rokform case or universal adapter. The result is a mount with no arms, no springs, and no exposed hardware — just a flat connection between the phone and the mount base.
The mount itself is CNC machined from 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, which is the same material used in structural components rather than decorative ones. It includes a built-in magnet that adds a secondary retention force alongside the twist lock, and a safety lanyard as a third layer of security. Getting this phone off while riding would require deliberate effort.
Mounting hardware is universal for most cruiser perch bolt spacing — specifically between 1.45 and 1.65 inches bolt-to-bolt — which covers all Vulcan models. Rokform backs it with a two-year warranty and a 60-day return window, which says something about their confidence in the hardware.
- CNC 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum construction
- Twist-lock plus built-in magnet plus safety lanyard — three retention points
- 360 degrees of rotation and 75 degrees of pivot for landscape or portrait use
- Fits perch bolt spacing of 1.45 to 1.65 inches — covers all Kawasaki Vulcan models
- Requires a Rokform case or Rokform universal adapter (sold separately)
- Two-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee
View Rokform Pro Perch Mount on Amazon →
Arkon Premium Aluminum 17mm GPS Mount — Best for Garmin GPS Units
If you run a dedicated GPS unit rather than using your phone for navigation, the Arkon Premium Aluminum 17mm Motorcycle Handlebar Mount is the correct tool for the job. This mount is designed specifically for Garmin nuvi and Drive series devices that use a 17mm swivel ball socket — the standard interface Garmin has used across their GPS lineup for years.
The all-aluminum construction keeps it light enough for handlebar use without the flex or wear you get from plastic bases. It clamps to the handlebar with a standard U-bolt design and provides a water-resistant mounting platform that holds up to real riding conditions.
For Vulcan riders who use their phone for music or communication and a Garmin for navigation, this lets you run both devices simultaneously without a single mount trying to do too much. Put the GPS where you want it for navigation, and handle the phone separately with one of the other mounts in this guide.
- Designed for Garmin nuvi and Drive series GPS units with 17mm swivel ball
- Premium aluminum construction — lighter and more durable than plastic alternatives
- Water-resistant for all-weather riding
- Standard U-bolt handlebar clamp compatible with all Vulcan models
- Not intended for phone use — dedicated GPS mount only
View Arkon 17mm GPS Mount on Amazon →
Common Mounting Mistakes on the Kawasaki Vulcan
The Vulcan’s forgiving handlebar layout makes it easy to get a mount installed quickly, but a few mistakes show up repeatedly across all models.
Chrome handlebar slip is the most common problem. Many Vulcan models ship with chrome-finished bars, and chrome provides less grip friction than raw metal. A mount that would stay put on a matte bar can creep under load on a chrome one. Tighten U-bolt bases more firmly than you think necessary and recheck after the first few rides.
Arm length and vibration go hand in hand on V-twin engines. The Vulcan’s parallel-twin or V-twin configuration produces noticeable vibration at cruising speeds, and every inch of arm length between the handlebar base and the phone amplifies that vibration. Keep arms as short as your viewing angle allows.
Phone size mismatch catches a lot of buyers. Modern phones have grown significantly over the past few years, and a cradle that fit a phone two generations ago may not fit today’s larger models. Measure your phone’s width — with your case on if you use one — before selecting a cradle size.
- Always tighten U-bolt bases more firmly on chrome handlebars — recheck after first ride
- Keep arm length as short as possible to minimize vibration transfer
- Measure your phone width with the case on before selecting a cradle
- Check full left and right steering lock after installing any mount
- Avoid positioning the mount where it blocks the instrument cluster or mirrors
Installation Tips
- Measure your handlebar diameter before ordering — most Vulcan bars run 7/8 inch or 1 inch
- Use a tether or safety lanyard any time you’re riding above city speeds
- Apply a rubber shim under the U-bolt base on chrome bars for added grip
- Orient the phone in landscape mode when possible to keep the instrument cluster in view
- Recheck all hardware after your first two to three rides while clamp pressure settles
