iPhone Mounts

[jestercinti]

Unless there are a significant amount of turns, here's what I do:

Commit about 3 to 4 steps to memory.
Once those steps are done, check phone in tank bag and commit the next 3-4 steps to memory.

I'd be sad if my phone were to fall off and get lost.

Others will disagree, but this works well for me.

[BockinBboy]

Thats what I did the other day... rode about 250 miles monday.  Works out pretty good because its nice to stop after certain distances anyway.  I want it out front for other things than just GPS though.  Monday I used the radar in real time to avoid the rain, and it worked out pretty well.. even better if I didn't have to stop to glance at that.  That's just one example, there are other small conveniences, of course.

- Bboy

[Gorilla]

So its pretty simple.  I just bent a straight piece of steel (like the kind they make corner brackets out of) about 3/4 inch wide and 6 inches long. Drilled a hole to fit under the stem bolt, and another hole 1/4-20 at the other end of the bracket.  I will attach the ball camera-type mount to the end of the bracket into the 1/4-20 hole, and put the RAM mount on that ball mount.

I took pics on my camera, but forgot my SDHC card is flubbed and I can't get them off... shoulda just taken em with my phone, but now I can't till tonight.

So, one angled bracket and a ball mount is all it took!  ... I don't have the ball mount yet, as that is coming with the RAM mount, but I don't forsee any issues once the mount arrives. 

The only thing about mounting from the stem bolt is that it will have to be 'tall' enough so I can still fit the charger into the bottom of the phone and above the tank, but should be simple enough to take care of regardless.

Here is a quick mock-up from the side view of what the bracket will look like mounted up with the RAM mount.


- Bboy

will you take a pic after your done. I need to consider this as well for in the future

[weedahoe]

I have a pouch in my alpinestars tank bag but I don't always take my bag with me. I ordered a mount and am waiting on it to get here

[BockinBboy]

Okay my RAM mount came today. It's the universal x-grip style. Excellent quality and holds my phone nice and tight.

Now, ran into an issue wig the bracket I made. The ram mount has a wider back than I measured for. Not a big deal at all, but the clearance above my tank bag isn't what I hoped. Since I already cut the bracket, I would need to cut another one. Angle and design of the bracket is perfect, but length is the problem. So tip for anyone that wants to do this, just wait for the mount before making the bracket lol.

However, the ram mount unexpectedly came with a u bolt mounting kit ( which I didn't order or didnt realize it came with it). So I decided to play around with that.   

It mounts to the center of the handlebars in about the exact spot my bracket mounts, except there is a lot more adjustability. It moves about an inch more than mounted to the stem from lock to lock. I will probably keep it mounted here.

It also can mount to the front fairing bracket behind the gauges. BUT, there is such minimal clearance that you can't adjust the screen angle. So if there is a glare, you are out of luck.  Now, you could probably mount it there and get some screen angle adjustment if you were to purchase the longer u bolt mount that RAM sells, but you would have to have a taller aftermarket windscreen to accommodate that depending on the size of your device.  I'm considering buying the longer mount to do that in the future, but I'll try what I have for now.





- Bboy

[ohgood]

cyclegear has tankbags for $39 with clear top pockets, the screen works with touch through it. if it rains, toss in a ziplock.

[pliskin]

Can you guys really use an GPS/iphone while you are riding? Can you really see maps or use the phone while you are on the road? I'm lucky if I can glance at my speedo or other gauges when I'm riding. The last trip I took where I needed directions I stuck a paper map on my tank with magnets.

[BockinBboy]

Bluetooth makes my gps and iPhone navigation a breeze. Glancing down isn't too bad, but I'd rather do it as little as possible. So, Bluetooth is a must for navigation on either... They tell you the directions in your ear so you don't have to look at it.

- Bboy

[weedahoe]

Bluetooth makes my gps and iPhone navigation a breeze. Glancing down isn't too bad, but I'd rather do it as little as possible. So, Bluetooth is a must for navigation on either... They tell you the directions in your ear so you don't have to look at it.

- Bboy

Exactly. All you have to do is listen to the lady whispering (or screaming) in your ear.

@ BockinBboy, I have clip ons so there is no center bar for u bolts to lock onto on mine. Thats why I was looking at a stem mount or something to connect under the stem bolt.

I know you said it holds your phone nice and tight but can you post some pics because Im not digging those 4 little feet mounts

[Bluesmudge]

For a more "elegant" mounting option, Ram makes balls that replace the handlebar bolts and the entire front brake reservoir cap. For F models you can also get the ball that mounts in the vestigial handlebar mirror mounts. That way you can mount your cell phone, GPS and cup holder.

[weedahoe]

Funny you mention that because I was looking on YouTube and see a video showing all the different ball mounts and arm lengths.

[BockinBboy]

@ BockinBboy, I have clip ons so there is no center bar for u bolts to lock onto on mine. Thats why I was looking at a stem mount or something to connect under the stem bolt.

I know you said it holds your phone nice and tight but can you post some pics because Im not digging those 4 little feet mounts

I wanted to get pics with my phone in it, but I had to take the pics with my phone... my camera's SDHC card won't read, and I haven't broken down and bought a new one yet.   I'll see if I can get a buddy to take a pic on their phone and send it to me.  But the mount definately holds it tighter than I thought, and it feels very secure. 

I realized the way I ended up mounting it wouldn't help those with clip-ons, but mounting a bracket beneath the stem bolt would still work... Just need to make the bracket AFTER you receive the mount to avoid cutting one with wrong dimensions  .  I had measured everything out, but didn't account for the back of mount being as deep as it is... that measurement wasn't provided when I looked it up. No biggie really, just needed to adjust the length of the bracket.  The angle and way it mounted under the stem worked great. 

That stem mount that RAM sells (I think I linked it in an earlier post), actually replaces the stem bolt; however, it only goes down to a  12mm bolt size, and I 'think' our stem bolt is 10mm bolt?... Actually, the stem bolt is the same size as our mirror mount hole threads on the handlebars... so I'm thinking it has to be 10mm.  If you could find a stem mount that went that small, you could still do that... or modify the RAM mount, or maybe it might still fit and you just need to provide your own 10mm the kit doesn't come with.  I'm not for sure.  But Stem mounting in some way is definately possible, and a good location.

I'm not so much a fan of many of the other mount locations offered by the RAM mounts... not that they wouldn't be secure, because they ARE.  Just personal preference, as I don't want my device moving a bunch from center... I just don't like that extra movement, and more chances for something to get caught up, etc...  So I had to find a way to get it mounted somewhere it doesn't move at all, or very little... and thats pretty limited without drilling, because not many options for the center area that doesn't move much.

Weeds, in addition to stem mounting/mount bracket under the stem.  You could mount it to the front fairing bracket behind the gauges.  It would just require the long U-bolt mount that RAM offers, because you need the height to get a little above the gauges for clearance, and so you can adjust the angle of the device.  I tried mounting mine there, and it barely fit with the medium U-bolt mount mine came with, but you aren't left with any way to adjust it at all without hitting the gauges when turning the bars.

- Bboy

[BockinBboy]

Oh Wait! I just thought of this...

The vestigial mirror mount that smudge mentioned, and what I discovered when playing around with my mounting options...

The mirror mount is the same thread size as the stem bolt, so if there is a mount that will go into or mount from a mirror mount... It will also mount into the Stem bolt, provided that you could make the mount bolt long enough to go down in there or for the mount to fit around, etc... So check out the mirror mounts and see if anything will work with our stem bolt.

- Bboy

[lynx124]

I skimmed this thread so my apologies if i repeat something...

I needed a little bit of storage room and someplace to put my phone for the GPS on my GS and I also wanted one that was waterproof just incase I got caught in the rain.

On a college budget I wasn't about to spend $50 for a the cheapest motorcycle one that had bad reviews. Instead for $12 on amazon I bought one of these...



It's intended for a bicycle but I put it sideways on my handlebars and reinforced the Velcro straps with black discreet zip-ties. It hold up perfectly, and is 100% weatherproof and has enough storage room for a small camera and my wallet too.



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[weedahoe]

I posted a video on the new mount I had bought. I hope it works as good as yours but check it out and let me know what you think

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=64547.0

[BockinBboy]

I posted a video on the new mount I had bought. I hope it works as good as yours but check it out and let me know what you think

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=64547.0

Haven't had a chance to check out the vid yet, but I generally like your setups and you do great work, so I'm sure its good.

cyclegear has tankbags for $39 with clear top pockets, the screen works with touch through it. if it rains, toss in a ziplock.

Missed that post.  Sounds like it would work for a few different things.  The touch screen cover on it sounds pretty interesting. Is that a feature of that particular bag, or does touch screen just happen to work through that particular one?   ... Got a link?

- Bboy

[ohgood]

Can you guys really use an GPS/iphone while you are riding? Can you really see maps or use the phone while you are on the road? I'm lucky if I can glance at my speedo or other gauges when I'm riding. The last trip I took where I needed directions I stuck a paper map on my tank with magnets.

if an exit (interstate) is coming up, or odd intersection, its pointless to try to see it on the screen. too much of a distraction.

I will use the 'zoom out' function at stop lights to make sure I'm familiar with wshich lanes to be in, and never use lane assist. it just makes the changing/following too hectic, much easier to make 4 right turns and redirect instead.

with headphones/bluetooth, streaming music works very nicely, and android phones lower the music volume as the directions are read from gps apps. its very smart, very well executed.

my favorite navigation apps are googles own (online only) and sygic (off line only for me)
offline mapping is oruxmaps

for ihpone users I understand motionx is reallllly good

[BockinBboy]

I posted a video on the new mount I had bought. I hope it works as good as yours but check it out and let me know what you think

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=64547.0

Got around to viewing the vid.  For $8 bucks, worth a shot. Seems to stick out a little high to get a good postion, but that could be that huge phone too lol.  You can probably anticipate its longevity, but like you said, its $8 bucks and if it works for a while or what you needed it for, then get another or try something else.   

My iPhone is pretty big with the armor case, but its just thick and more boxy.  You've prompted me to make a video reply with my setup. Well... I want to do it but I just have to find the time.  My SDHC card should be in today so at least I can get the pics up with the phone in it.

- Bboy

[yamahonkawazuki]

actually liking that MTB mount. can use myww1 era garmin gps , for speedometer along with the vapor cluster

[weedahoe]

I posted a video on the new mount I had bought. I hope it works as good as yours but check it out and let me know what you think

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=64547.0

Got around to viewing the vid.  For $8 bucks, worth a shot. Seems to stick out a little high to get a good postion, but that could be that huge phone too lol.  You can probably anticipate its longevity, but like you said, its $8 bucks and if it works for a while or what you needed it for, then get another or try something else.   

My iPhone is pretty big with the armor case, but its just thick and more boxy.  You've prompted me to make a video reply with my setup. Well... I want to do it but I just have to find the time.  My SDHC card should be in today so at least I can get the pics up with the phone in it.

- Bboy

Ok, youve had time to get pics and do a video. Whats the hold up?