The BMW R1200RT is one of the best touring motorcycles ever built, but it is not the easiest bike to mount accessories on. That is the tradeoff you get with a premium touring cockpit. The fairing, wind protection, gauges, and integrated controls are excellent for long-distance riding, but they leave less obvious space for a phone mount, GPS cradle, action camera, or even something as simple as a drink holder.
That does not mean the R1200RT is difficult to outfit. It just means you have to think differently than you would on a naked bike or a motorcycle with open, exposed handlebars. On the RT, the best mounting positions are usually the ones that work with the cockpit instead of fighting it.
This guide looks at the best mount locations and hardware styles for the BMW R1200RT, including phone mounts, GPS mounts, and accessory-friendly solutions that make sense for a touring setup.
Best BMW R1200RT Mount Types at a Glance
| Mount Type | Best For | Why It Works | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cockpit / above-gauge mount | GPS, primary navigation | Keeps screen high and easy to glance at | Best overall for touring |
| Control / bar clamp mount | Phones, compact GPS units | Uses existing cockpit hardware | Best universal option |
| Reservoir mount | Phones, smaller accessories | Compact and easy to position | Best compact solution |
| Accessory extension bar | Multiple devices | Creates extra mounting real estate | Best for custom setups |
Why the R1200RT Is Different
On many motorcycles, the obvious answer is “just clamp something to the handlebars.” The R1200RT is different. The cockpit is more enclosed, the controls are more integrated, and the rider typically uses the bike for longer, more navigation-heavy trips. That changes what makes a mount “good.”
On this motorcycle, the best mount is not just the one that fits. It is the one that lets you read the screen quickly, keeps the device out of the wind as much as possible, and does not block the instruments or the factory controls. Touring bikes reward clean installations.
That is why the R1200RT often works best with higher mounting positions and bike-specific hardware. A mount that looks fine on a universal naked-bike setup may feel awkward here.
1. Cockpit and Above-Gauge Mounts (Best Overall for GPS)
If your main goal is navigation, the best location on the R1200RT is usually above or near the instrument cluster. This keeps the screen closer to your natural line of sight and is one of the reasons BMW touring riders tend to prefer integrated GPS-style positions over lower bar mounts.
That layout makes even more sense on a long-distance touring motorcycle. You do not want to look way down every time you check a route instruction. A properly positioned cockpit mount keeps the screen visible without turning the bike into a cluttered mess.
For riders using a dedicated GPS like a Garmin Zumo, this is usually the first place to look. It is also a strong option for a phone if you want your device to behave more like a navigation screen than a secondary gadget.
2. Techmount Control Mounts (Best Universal Solution)
If you want a cleaner universal-style solution, a control-area mount is one of the smartest answers for the R1200RT. This is where Techmount systems have always made sense on BMW touring bikes. They work with existing hardware points and create a stable location for a phone cradle or GPS ball mount without forcing a generic bar clamp into a place where it never really belonged.
This type of setup is especially useful if you switch between devices. For example, you may want a smartphone most days but a GPS on longer rides. A 17mm ball or compatible cradle setup can make that transition much easier.
It is also a more elegant solution than trying to bolt oversized universal hardware onto an already busy touring cockpit.
Visit our guide to the Techmount mounting solutions if you need more detail prior to purchasing.
A BMW-friendly control mount is one of the best ways to add a phone or GPS cradle without compromising the touring cockpit.
3. Reservoir Mounts (Best Compact Phone Solution)
The reservoir cover is one of the most useful secondary mounting points on the R1200RT. It is compact, sturdy, and well suited to smaller accessories like phones, lighter GPS units, or compact camera mounts. A reservoir-based ball mount can work very well here when paired with the right arm and cradle.
This approach tends to be better for riders who want a phone within reach but do not necessarily need it up high like a primary GPS screen. It can also keep the cockpit looking tidier than a larger center mount.
For phones, this is where smaller, more secure cradles usually make more sense than oversized setups. On a touring bike like this, you want the device to feel integrated, not like it was attached as an afterthought.
A reservoir ball base paired with a secure cradle is one of the cleanest ways to add a phone to the R1200RT.
4. Extension Bars and Accessory Bridges (Best for Multi-Device Riders)
Some R1200RT owners want more than one device in the cockpit. That might mean a phone plus a GPS, or a GPS plus a camera, or a phone plus a drink holder. This is where extension bars and accessory bridge-style solutions become valuable.
An extension bar does not necessarily solve the problem by itself. What it does is create mounting real estate. Once that bar is in place, you can use more traditional motorcycle clamp mounts, ball mounts, or cradle systems.
This is the best route for riders building out a more custom touring cockpit. It is not always the cleanest setup for minimalists, but it can be very effective when done carefully.
What About Quad Lock on a BMW R1200RT?
Quad Lock makes a lot of sense on motorcycles, but on the R1200RT the question is not whether Quad Lock is good. It is where you put it. The system is excellent when paired with the right mounting point, especially if you already use a Quad Lock case and want a very secure phone-specific solution.
For the RT, Quad Lock works best when integrated into a suitable control mount, extension bar, or another location that respects the cockpit layout. It is less about “just clamp it anywhere” and more about giving the locking system a smart base to work from.
If your goal is the cleanest possible phone-only setup and you are already in the Quad Lock ecosystem, it can absolutely be part of a strong R1200RT build.
Drink Holders and Secondary Accessories
Drink holders on motorcycles are always a little controversial, but for touring bikes they are common enough to be worth discussing. The R1200RT is one of the better motorcycles to use a drink holder on because it is designed for longer rides and a more comfort-oriented experience.
The key is to keep expectations realistic. A compact water bottle is one thing. A large, heavy drink flopping around in the cockpit is another. On this bike, if you add a cup holder, it should be mounted carefully and placed so that it does not interfere with controls or visibility.
The same principle applies to cameras and other secondary gear. Just because you can fit another accessory does not mean you should crowd the cockpit. Touring bikes work best when the setup feels deliberate.
Common Mounting Mistakes on the R1200RT
- Mounting a device too low, forcing you to look down too far while riding
- Using oversized phone or tablet mounts that block controls or gauges
- Treating the RT like a standard naked bike and ignoring the cockpit layout
- Adding too many accessories at once and cluttering the touring cockpit
- Choosing convenience over screen position for primary navigation
Best Mount by Use Case
- Best overall for GPS: Cockpit or above-gauge integrated mount
- Best universal setup: BMW-specific control mount
- Best compact phone solution: Reservoir ball mount with cradle
- Best for multiple accessories: Extension bar or accessory bridge
Bottom Line
The BMW R1200RT is not hard to mount accessories on. It is just a bike that rewards the right kind of mount. The best setups work with the touring cockpit instead of trying to force universal hardware into the wrong place.
If navigation is your priority, a higher cockpit-style mount is usually the best answer. If you want a flexible everyday setup, a BMW-specific control mount is often the smartest universal choice. And if you just want a compact phone setup, reservoir mounting remains one of the cleanest options.
The real goal is not to add the most accessories. It is to build a cockpit that stays useful, readable, and comfortable mile after mile.
