Motorcycle tablet mount: the honest guide to what you can actually install

A real tablet is not designed for a handlebar

Before searching for a "motorcycle tablet mount," it is worth understanding why it is so difficult to find a serious one. It is not manufacturer laziness: it is physics.

An 8-inch tablet generally weighs 300-500 grams and exposes more than 120 cm² of surface area to the wind. Mounted high above the instrumentation, at the end of an arm or bracket, it becomes a sail: every side gust and every wake from a heavy vehicle creates a twisting moment that the mount must absorb without flexing or causing the screen to vibrate out of focus. On a handlebar already occupied by controls, auxiliary switches, and a GPS bar, finding space for something that bulky is a separate problem.

Then there is the issue of durability. Motorcycle smartphones on the market almost always claim native IP67 or IP68 protection. Consumer tablets, even high-end ones, often stop at much weaker splash resistance or are not certified for prolonged outdoor use, and direct summer sunlight, combined with the screen running at maximum brightness for navigation, easily triggers thermal protection. Finally, there is power consumption: an 8-11-inch display with GPS active and high brightness drains a battery in a few hours, which means that a real tablet on a motorcycle almost always needs dedicated power from the electrical system, not a power bank in your pocket.

Endurrad does not sell a true tablet mount, and we're telling you that right away

The closest mounts in the range are designed for smartphones, not tablets. The official measurements make that clear.

The LOBOO PH02S is the most widespread mount in the range: mechanical claw locking, three levels of anti-vibration silicone, and mounts for handlebars (Ø 22-32 mm), GPS bars (Ø 12-13 mm), or mirrors (Ø ≤10.2 mm). The manufacturer states phone compatibility, including the case, of 65-98 mm in width, 125-170 mm in length, and up to 13 mm in thickness. The LOBOO PH06, the aluminum model with magnetic damping and wireless charging up to 36 W, is even narrower: 65-92 mm wide and 125-169 mm long.

An iPad mini, the most compact tablet currently on the market, measures approximately 178 x 135 mm: it exceeds the PH02S's stated maximum length by more than 8 cm. A 10- or 11-inch tablet is not even worth considering with these mounts. The point is not that LOBOO products are low quality — they are among the most robust smartphone mounts we carry, with complete electronic protection and genuine damping — but that they were designed and certified for another device category.

The modular route exists, but the tablet cradle must be purchased separately

If a tablet is an option you don't want to give up, the most honest route is the modular one: Endurrad provides the motorcycle mount, not the cradle for the device.

The Outplorer P100 range uses a system of separate components built around a 1-inch ball, the same diameter used by RAM Mount systems, among the most widely used in the world for mounting electronics on vehicles. In practice: from Endurrad, you buy the base that attaches to the motorcycle - on the handlebar, mirror, steering plate, or GPS bar - with or without anti-vibration air suspension, and a standard ball sits on top. The actual tablet cradle, which grips the edges of the device, is a separate component compatible with the same ball standard; Endurrad does not currently carry one, so it must be purchased from another supplier specializing in tablet mounts.

It is more laborious than an all-in-one mount, but it is also the only solution that truly allows you to mount an 8-10-inch tablet on a motorcycle, provided you choose a quality cradle and verify that the selected arm can support the device's weight and bulk without vibrating.

A drilling-free mounting point already exists on the BMW R 1300 GS

If your motorcycle is a BMW R 1300 GS, the cockpit space problem already has a structural solution: all that's missing is the device mount.

The LOBOO CDZ131 GPS Mount is a CNC-machined, anodized aluminum bracket with a 12 mm diameter, designed exclusively for the R 1300 GS from 2023 onward (not compatible with the R 1300 GS Adventure, which has a different cockpit). It attaches to the original mounting points without drilling or cutting: once removed, the motorcycle returns exactly to its factory condition, a detail that matters at resale. The dual-axis design expands the cockpit's usable surface, allowing you to position a navigation device and smartphone side by side without cluttering the view of the dashboard.

The same honesty applies here: the navigation device and the device mount are not included. The bracket is the lossless attachment point to the motorcycle; above it, you add an arm or cradle with the mount of your choice - smartphone, dedicated GPS, or, with the right adapter, a lightweight mini tablet.

If you really want a large, stable screen, a motorcycle display does what a tablet cannot

Many people searching for a "motorcycle tablet mount" do not actually want a tablet: they want a large, sunlight-readable screen with maps and CarPlay always within sight. That is why a different, more suitable product category exists.

The JADO S6 is a 6-inch display designed from the ground up for use on a motorcycle: IP69K certification (high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, not just rain), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an integrated dashcam with dedicated cameras. For those riding a BMW with the original mounting provision, there is a dedicated quick-release module that mounts the JADO S6 in place of the factory navigation system, as well as steering stem and crossbar mounts for other motorcycles. It costs more than a smartphone mount - the display alone starts at €379, while the BMW module is an additional €82 - but it is a device built to stay on the handlebars in all conditions, not a tablet adapted by force.

This is not the article for comparing every available CarPlay display: if that is what you are looking for, the complete guide to smart motorcycle displays compares the CarPlay and Android Auto alternatives on the Endurrad market.

Riding with a device switched on the handlebars is subject to specific rules

The device's position matters just as much as how it is mounted. It must remain readable at a glance, without covering the dashboard or forcing you to lower your gaze too far from the road. On motorcycles with an adjustable windscreen, also check for turbulence: a perfect position in the workshop can become shaky or reflective as soon as you change the windscreen height.

The three questions to ask yourself before ordering

Will it fit my motorcycle?

Measure the mounting point before choosing: handlebar or GPS bar diameter, available space taking into account hand guards, tank bag, and other accessories already installed, and whether your motorcycle has an original mounting provision (such as on the R 1300 GS with the CDZ131 bracket) that is worth using instead of adding another clamp.

What do I actually receive in the package?

With LOBOO smartphone mounts, you receive the complete mount, ready for installation. With the Outplorer base and BMW GPS bracket, you receive only the motorcycle anchor: the device cradle must be selected and purchased separately, compatible with the 1-inch ball mount or the stated diameter. With the JADO S6 display, you receive the complete device, and the bracket for your specific motorcycle must be selected from the available versions (BMW mount, steering stem, crossbar).

How do I install it?

LOBOO mounts lock into place and install without special tools on the already measured tube. The CDZ131 GPS bracket attaches to the original BMW cockpit mounting points, reversibly and without drilling. The JADO module for BMW physically replaces the factory navigation unit in the original mount. In all cases, if the mount includes a charging module, it must be connected to the motorcycle's electrical system: allow extra time to route the power supply, preferably from an ignition-switched positive.

When a tablet still makes sense on a motorcycle

It makes sense as a tool to consult while stationary - at the bivouac, in a B&B, to review the route for the next stage - rather than as an active navigation screen while moving. If you really want to keep it on board while riding, it is better to store it in a handlebar or tank bag with a transparent map pocket for stops, while for actual navigation, a compact smartphone in a damped mount, or a dedicated motorcycle display, remain more stable, easier to read, and easier to power for a full day of travel.

• If you navigate for hours with detailed maps every day, a dedicated motorcycle display or a large smartphone in a damped mount will withstand it better than a bare tablet on a long arm.
• If you only need the tablet to plan the route in the evening or consult a stationary roadbook, a handlebar bag with a transparent pocket avoids the mounting problem entirely.
• If you ride challenging off-road terrain, every extra centimeter of arm and every additional joint between the handlebar and screen means an extra centimeter of oscillation: always prioritize the shortest and most rigid solution.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mount a real tablet on my motorcycle?

Physically, yes, with the 1-inch ball modular system: a compatible base anchored to the motorcycle and a tablet cradle compatible with the same mount, purchased separately. An all-in-one mount designed for a 7-11-inch tablet is not in the Endurrad catalog, and you will not easily find one elsewhere either among serious motorcycle-sector brands.

Why doesn’t Endurrad sell a dedicated tablet mount?

Because the manufacturers we work with — LOBOO and Outplorer foremost among them — focus their enclosed mounts on the smartphone segment, where demand is higher and where damping, charging, and IP certification make engineering sense. A tablet changes the structural requirements substantially and is a different product, not a larger size of the same mount.

What is the difference between a smartphone mount and a tablet mount?

A smartphone mount is designed for widths of 65-98 mm and weights under 250 grams, with damping tuned for that weight. A proper tablet mount must support devices wider than 120 mm and heavier, with a much larger surface exposed to the wind: it requires stiffer arms, more secure mounting points, and often a more robust mechanical locking system, not just adjustable jaws.

What phone sizes fit in the LOBOO PH02?

With the case already fitted: width 65-98 mm, length 125-170 mm, thickness up to 13 mm. Outside these values, the jaws do not close correctly, according to the manufacturer’s technical specifications.

Is the LOBOO PH06 better than the PH02 for intensive use?

The PH06 adds a machined aluminium body and magnetic damping, which is more effective than the PH02S’s silicone pads against high-frequency vibrations that can damage the camera’s optical stabilizer. However, it accepts slightly smaller devices (65-92 mm wide) and costs more.

Can I use an Outplorer base with a tablet case bought elsewhere?

Yes, provided that the tablet cradle states compatibility with the 1-inch ball mount used by the Outplorer base, the same diameter commonly used in RAM Mount systems. Always check the maximum weight specified for the arm and base before mounting a tablet complete with its case.

What is the 1-inch ball standard, and why does it matter?

It is a mechanical mounting diameter widely used in the vehicle-mounting industry, allowing bases, arms, and cradles from different manufacturers to be combined, provided they state that they use the same standard. Outplorer uses it for the P100 range and sells a dedicated adapter (BA25) to convert a screw mount into a 1-inch ball.

Does the GPS bracket for the BMW R 1300 GS already include the device mount?

No. The LOBOO CDZ131 is only the aluminium mounting point for the cockpit’s original mounting points. The sat nav, smartphone, and corresponding device mount are chosen and installed separately, above the bracket.

Is it legal to ride with a tablet or sat nav switched on and mounted on the handlebars?

Article 173 of the Highway Code prohibits holding devices that require the use of your hands while riding. A device securely mounted and consulted with a glance without holding it is the configuration intended to remain legal: however, make sure it does not obstruct your view of the instruments or the road.

Does a motorcycle display like the JADO S6 really replace a tablet?

For navigation, CarPlay/Android Auto, and the dashcam, yes, with an IP69K rating that no consumer tablet claims. It does not replace a tablet for other uses - reading, editing, and general apps - which remain outside the purpose of a display designed for riding.

Do vibrations really damage a tablet or smartphone?

High-frequency handlebar vibrations can permanently damage cameras' optical image stabilizer, a known fault that is generally not covered by warranty. Mounts with cushioning - silicone-based, like the PH02S, or magnetic damping, like the PH06 - reduce but do not eliminate the phenomenon, according to the manufacturer's statement.

Is a case better, or should I use the bare device in the mount?

It depends on how you use it. A case protects against rain and impacts but increases bulk and reduces heat dissipation, which is a problem in summer when the screen is at maximum brightness under the sun. Always check the mount's compatibility measurements, including the case you will actually use.

Does the tablet consume too much battery to last through a motorcycle trip?

With GPS active, a data connection, and high brightness, an 8-11 inch screen drains the battery in a few hours. For prolonged use, you need dedicated power from the motorcycle's electrical system, not a power bank kept in your pocket: this is one of the reasons mounts with an integrated charging module, such as the LOBOO PH02S and PH06, remain more practical for those who navigate all day.

What should I measure before ordering a mount?

The exact diameter of the mounting point (handlebar, GPS bar, or mirror), the dimensions of your device with the case you will actually use, and the actual free space considering the other accessories already mounted on the cockpit.