The Triumph Bonneville has been one of motorcycling’s most enduring icons since it first rolled out in 1959. Now in its third generation, the Bonneville family has grown considerably — the T100, T120, Bobber, Scrambler, and Street Twin all share the Bonneville DNA while serving different riding styles. What they all have in common is a classic retro aesthetic and a set of handlebars that are well suited for a phone mount.
Using your smartphone for navigation on a Bonneville is more practical than it’s ever been, but getting the mount right matters. Too many riders slap a cheap plastic cradle on the bars and call it a day — then wonder why it’s rattling loose by the end of the season. The Bonneville’s parallel twin engine, smooth as it is compared to a V-twin, still produces real vibration that will work on a flimsy mount over time. This guide covers the best phone mounts for the Triumph Bonneville: what to look for, which products hold up, and how each one fits the bike.
What to Know Before You Buy
The Triumph Bonneville uses standard 22mm (7/8-inch) handlebars across most current models. Some custom or aftermarket setups run at 1 inch or 1.25 inches. The mounts covered in this guide accommodate that full range, so compatibility is not a concern for the stock bike.
The first thing to sort out is whether you want a case-based locking system or a universal cradle. Case-based systems — Quad Lock being the dominant option — require a specific phone case or adapter, but the payoff is a much faster and more secure connection. You click the phone in, twist to lock, and it is not coming off unless you release it. Universal cradles like the RAM X-Grip work with any phone in any case using spring tension, which is simpler but slightly slower to use.
The second thing to think about is vibration. Sustained high-frequency vibration from the engine and road can damage the optical image stabilization system in modern smartphone cameras over time — Apple and Google have both acknowledged this. A mount with vibration dampening built in is worth the small extra cost, especially if you ride regularly.
Bonneville Phone Mount Comparison
| Mount | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount | Best overall — fastest attach/detach, most secure | Handlebar |
| RAM X-Grip with U-Bolt Base | Best universal — no special case required | Handlebar |
| Quad Lock M8 Bolt Mount | Cleanest look — uses existing handlebar bolt | Handlebar clamp bolt |
Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount — Best Overall
The Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount has become the go-to phone mount for serious motorcycle riders over the past several years, and it deserves the reputation. The system uses a patented dual-stage locking mechanism — your phone clicks in, then twists 90 degrees to lock. It cannot rattle loose from road vibration, and it won’t pop off from a bump. Releasing it takes about two seconds: press the lever, twist back, done.
The handlebar clamp is CNC-machined from aluminum and fits bar diameters from 7/8 inch through 1-3/8 inch, covering every Bonneville variant in the current lineup. The included extension arm gives you several positioning options, and the head rotates 360 degrees so you can run portrait or landscape to suit your preference. Installation takes about 10 minutes with the included hex key.
There is one thing to know going in: Quad Lock requires a compatible phone case or a Universal Adapter. The case is the piece that interfaces with the mount’s locking mechanism. If you’re already running a case you like, the Quad Lock Universal Adapter clips onto the back of it — it adds a few millimeters of thickness but means you don’t have to ditch your existing case. Budget for that extra piece if the mount alone is what you order.
Quad Lock also sells a Vibration Dampener that sits between the mount head and the handlebar clamp. It reduces high-frequency vibration by over 90% by Quad Lock’s own testing figures. For a bike like the Bonneville that you might ride long distances, this is worth adding. Your phone’s camera OIS components will thank you over the long run.
Quad Lock M8 Bolt Mount — Cleanest Install
If keeping the Bonneville’s classic look intact is a priority, the Quad Lock M8 Bolt Mount is worth a close look. Many Triumph Bonneville models — including the T100 and T120 — have an M8 bolt on the handlebar clamp that can be swapped for a Quad Lock mounting base. When your phone isn’t on the bike, all that’s visible is a small black fitting where the factory bolt sat. No arm hanging off the bars, no extra hardware cluttering up the cockpit.
This is the most discreet mounting option available for the Bonneville and it’s popular with riders who care about maintaining the bike’s stock look. The position is fixed to where the factory bolt sits, so you lose some of the positioning flexibility you’d get with a handlebar clamp mount. In practice, the factory bolt location puts the phone close to center with a reasonable sightline for most riders, so this trade-off is rarely a problem.
Like the standard Quad Lock handlebar mount, this version requires a compatible Quad Lock case or Universal Adapter. The Vibration Dampener is also compatible and can be added to this system. If you’re already committed to the Quad Lock ecosystem from the handlebar mount version, the M8 option is a clean alternative that integrates with all the same accessories.
RAM X-Grip with U-Bolt Handlebar Base — Best Universal Option
For riders who don’t want to use a system-specific case, the RAM X-Grip with U-Bolt Handlebar Base is the best universal phone mount for the Bonneville. The spring-loaded X-Grip cradle expands and contracts to grip your phone directly — no proprietary case, no adapter required. It works with virtually any smartphone in any existing case, and it works with the same phone when you upgrade to a new model.
The u-bolt base fits handlebar rails from 0.5 to 1.25 inches in diameter and comes with a composite rail adapter to narrow the clamp for smaller bars. The mount uses RAM’s 1-inch ball-and-socket system, with adjustment points at both ends of the double socket arm. This gives you a wide range of positioning angles and lets you dial in the exact viewing position you want for your riding posture on the Bonneville.
RAM includes a device tether with the X-Grip — a short safety strap that connects your phone to the mount. It’s worth using. Even a well-made mount can be affected by a significant impact, and the tether keeps a knocked-loose phone from becoming a road hazard at 60 miles per hour. RAM has been making motorcycle mounts long enough that their products carry a lifetime warranty, and the X-Grip in particular has a long track record with real-world riders.
The one trade-off versus a locking case system is that loading and removing the phone is slightly less elegant — you’re working the spring cradle rather than clicking in and twisting. For some riders that’s a non-issue. For others who pull their phone frequently at fuel stops, the Quad Lock’s faster operation is worth switching to a different case. Know your habits before you decide.
Mounting Location: Handlebar vs. Fork Stem
Most Bonneville riders default to a handlebar mount, which is the right call for most situations. The bars put the phone at a natural sightline, within easy reach, and there’s typically enough room on a stock Bonneville bar to mount without crowding the controls.
The fork stem is worth considering if you prefer to keep the bars uncluttered or if you’re running aftermarket controls or grips that eat into the available bar space. A fork stem mount sits centered, low, and close to the instrument cluster — it blends into the cockpit more naturally than a handlebar clamp and suits the Bonneville’s retro styling. Quad Lock makes a Fork Stem Mount that works with the same locking cases and adapters as the handlebar versions.
Either way, position your mount so the screen is within your natural sightline without requiring you to move your head significantly. A quick glance for navigation is reasonable. Craning to look at a phone mounted too low or off to one side is not — it pulls attention off the road for longer than it should.
A Few Notes on Setup and Riding With a Mounted Phone
Set your route before you start the bike. Adjusting navigation on a moving motorcycle is as dangerous as texting while driving a car. Get everything configured while parked, double-check that the mount is fully locked, and ride. If you need to make changes mid-route, pull over.
Even with a quality mount, a tether from the phone to the handlebar is a smart addition. Paracord and a small carabiner work fine. The tether is your backup if the mount is hit, damaged, or somehow fails — it keeps your phone on the bike rather than in the road. RAM includes a tether with the X-Grip; Quad Lock sells them separately.
A good phone case also provides some protection against road debris. Stones thrown up by traffic can crack screens and chip cameras. The Bonneville’s riding position keeps you close enough to the road and other vehicles that stone strikes happen more than most riders expect. A case with solid corner protection is worth running regardless of which mount you choose.
For more on securing your device, see our guide to phone tethers for motorcycle mounts.
