Modern Vespa

Hello!!!

I want to get a cell phone mount for my mirror that I can easily take on and off......I dont need it most of the time but have a long trip scheduled for next week. I know that this is the mount that screws onto my mirror (GTS 300) what is the other component I need to get? Should I get small, medium or large?

https://www.amazon.com/RAM-MOUNTS-Torque-Mini-Ram-B-408-37-62U/dp/B01GQE7506/ref=asc_df_B01GQE7506?mcid=6aefd390ce5d3bb7a0ff460e6baf9ea9&hvocijid=7892061350505963272-B01GQE7506-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7892061350505963272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004293&hvtargid=pla-2281435178818&th=1

The RAM mounts are really overkill. I use a Quadlock, but was also tempted by SP connect. The most upmarket is probably Peak Design.

What holder you get depends on what phone you have! They do come in many different sizes, after all.

This is what we use, fits a Moto g 5G:
https://rammount.com/products/ram-hol-pd4-238au

Very secure!

Also you'll need a socket arm - I suggest getting both a short and a medium B size arm.

I am a huge fan of Peak Design mounts. Here's the Mirror mount:
https://www.peakdesign.com/products/motorcycle-mirror-mount?Type=Non-Charging+Locking

The are slim, and are way easier to use than pretty much anything out there, including QuadLock. You'll need to buy their phone case as well, just like Quadlock, but theirs is way slimmer. The mount has vibration dampening as well, so the long ride won't kill your phone camera. It's a good investment!

I'd also vouch for Peak Design. Maybe a bit much to commit to their ecosystem for a single trip, but it is a very well though out ecosystem and can be very much worth it. (We have phone mounts in the car, on my bicycle, and in the kitchen, as well as on the motorcycles.)

(On the Vespa, I use a RAM mount on the mirror and the Peak Design RAM mount adapter--easy on and off and can use if for other things. On the V-Strom, I have the purpose-built PD handle bar mount.)

+ 1 for the Ram mount and pictured Quick Grip. Solid as a rock. That being said, mounting the phone on the mirror stem will subject it to a lot of vibration and shock. The motor's vibrations cause an iPhone's video to distort and blur at some frequencies. I ultimately just started putting it in my shirt/jacket pocket and listening to audio GPS guidance and phone calls on the Sena in my helmet. Also, if I'm accidentally cast off a mountain curve, my body will be easier to find if the phone is in my pocket...

The primary things to consider when choosing a phone holder is securely holding the device and ensuring it has vibration dampening to prevent damage.

This is not where you should try to save money. Phones can be expensive and a PITA to replace if broken or lost.

Peak Design, Quadlock, and RAM all make high quality gear with vibration dampening. Quadlock can sometimes be a bit finicky and require 2 hands to secure; I've seen it plenty of times with other riders who struggle with it when we are departing on a ride or meal stop.

I'm leaning toward moving to Peak Design as it seems to be an ecosystem that's well thought out. I recall seeing/hearing on a video review that the founders were former Apple execs, which I think helps them understand what it takes to produce a premium product.

not a fan of mounting cell phones for navigation. I prefer to keep them safe in a pocket or on a lanyard around my neck. they stay safer and out of the sun.

for traveling I use a dedicated GPS, Garmin XT is a goto for most serious touring riders. they have lots of great features that a cell phone cant compare to.

I used to use a Garmin Zumo - but Google maps is an order of magnitude more friendly, with live traffic snarl warnings and live speed trap warnings. It doesn't need constant cell coverage - the maps can be downloaded for offline use if necessary (in the US for example!).

So an Android phone fits the bill. No worries with vibration that I've ever noticed using the RAM mount and Quick-Grip. Mirror mounted.

I've heard that vibrations moving through the mounted cell phone holder can cause havoc on a cell phone's camera in particular. I'm sure there's other brands, but something like Quadlock that has the vibration dampener build into the mount would be a good idea.

The cell phone camera is as solid-state as the rest of the phone. I call FUD.

it's a well-documented issue, especially for phones with image stabilization (OIS) or auto-focus (AF) mechanisms. There's a lot of vibration in the scooter frame that translates to the phone if rigidly attached without some kind of dampering. Well, for a little extra on the mount, I'd take that peace of mind. Especially if it's a like 1000 dollar iphone, but up to you.

FUD challenge accepted.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102175&ved=2ahUKEwjayYrQpr-OAxURgP0HHajMAAEQFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1VpvYkxbLaDW5dFT8YkdW8

This is a timely thread - thanks all!

Just the other day I fitted a Quad Lock mount to one of Scarlett's mirror stems; I just ordered the vibration dampener, and I won't mount my phone on my bike until it arrives.

Note the "high-powered" motorcycle engines. Those are the ones that give their riders numb hands while riding. The vibrations of a modern Vespa are nothing like that!

And that's iPhone...

My GTS 300 and my GT200 created wave type interference in the video of three different model iphones. Visible wavy lines moved top to bottom on the display at steady highway speeds. I'll show you a ride video if I can find it.

iPhone again?

The RAM Mount on my 2021 GTS 300 Super is a few years old but works great. The only negative is that you can't easily/quickly take your phone off the mount if you're in a hurry.

I had the Ryan mount with x grip for a few years. The for things is you can use any case. Bad is you need to use the stretchy web, and it breaks sometimes. And then your phone comes flying off the mount. (Happened to me twice. First time, I somehow caught my phone with my knees. Second time, I dragged my phone at 46+ mph by the charging cable on the pavement while I quickly pulled to the side of the road. Phone was completely fine. In other news, I HIGHLY recommend the Poetic rugged cases.) You can purchase new webs, but I was having to buy replacement webs every 2-6 months.

So I swapped to quadlock about a year ago. I was sad to lose my FANTASTIC case, but I appreciate not having my phone jump off my bike anymore. Or having to buy replacement bits every few months. It took a little while, but I can usually pop my phone on and off one handed now, and when I don't use the mount (rain, for ex), there aren't little arms to grab at home as I reach over.

Yeah, the x grip has been superseded, in my mind, by the RAM quick grip. It has spring loaded arms and hooks on all four sides.

In the end.......i decided not to get any of the ones listed, but a wrist band that runners use....

Sorry to be the wet blanket, but IMO using a cell phone while driving anything, much less a scooter, is courting disaster. You might as well be drunk or high. How many times have you had someone in a car nearly hit you, or do something incomprehensibly stupid? Most of the time you see they've been yakking on their cell phone.

Talking to someone who's in the car with you or riding pillion is not at all the same. On the phone, we project an image of the other person, and often their surroundings as well. The human brain can't do this without reducing our attention on what's around us. To make matters worse, if you're wearing earplugs, you're deaf to the not only to the sounds around you, but also the background sounds that help your subconscious form your sense of space and your balance. This is why we feel so spaced out when we get a bad head cold.
It might be convenient to have that conversation. But is the matter so urgent that you're willing to die for it?

If you're in a profession like medicine or sales, where even a few minutes can be vital, it's easy enough to pull over, especially because on a scooter you can stop anywhere, and you're unlikely to be on a limited access expressway.

I can't speak for the original poster... But I have a Cardo headset installed in my helmet. It doesn't block the road sounds, especially since I don't max out the volume.

Also, I only use the phone screen for GPS and speed checks... Because sometimes I need additional info that the voiceover can't provide, and I have the original optimistic speed ring/speedometer. My scooter is my primary vehicle, and when I'm doing something like trying to find a specific parking lot in a busy city 2 hours away from home, I am NOT going to be able to memorize the directions.

I don't usually touch my phone while driving (the exception being at a stoplight in very rare occasions to adjust gps). I don't take phone calls while driving - I pull over.

And yes, I do drive on the freeways frequently. (I currently have over 22,000 miles on my GTS - this is NOT just a twiddle around town bike.)

I totally agree with you about using the phone for answering calls or reading texts - but the whole idea is to be able to use the phone as a GPS, or music centre. Those uses are fine.

I bought the mirror mount and phone case Interphone Quiklox. The case is a bit bulky (opted for bigger case so I don't have to take the phone out from the case) but it's waterproof and dustproof.

From the article (my emphasis):

Again, I've never had a problem with my Android phone's camera, so I'll carry on.

I got a wristband that runners use and it's just fine…..the reason why I use it is simply for gps and nothing else - I rarely look at it but take a glance when necessary to confirm directions

Late reply here (just joined) but I have just got a mirror ball adapter to use with the Lamicall holder I already have. The adapter goes onto the mirror thread & the holder has a screw lock on the back so the ball doesn't shake loose.

If the front casing is in the way, I'll just buy another double ball adapter & a short RAM extension arm, both also on Amazon.

Oh dear... back to the drawing board... the ball on the end was too big lol 🙄🤦🏻😆

EDIT: Just bought a Quad Lock system for the VXL lol