I actually use a 180-degree cable all the time I don't like the stock cable that just sticks straight out. I've not experienced a situation where this 180-degree cable has been an issue.

 

I just got my 2019 Ultra Limited. Not a lot of thought went into implementing CarPlay. There is no way my iPhone 7+ will fit in the little cubby hole. My old X-Grip will also not work on the bars with the hydraulic clutch so I'm not sure if I'm going to get a new X-Grip or run a USB extension back into the tour pack. Either way I plan on running the lightning cable up to the handle bars or into the tour pak. I may use a small un-powered USB hub in the fairing to keep the USB port in the cubby hole for software updates. We'll see if the system will support both the iPhone and a thumb drive connected. I could leave the thumb drive connected for tunes when the iPhone is not.

 

I keep my phone in my jacket pocket. I use the cubby hole for reading specs and insurance/registration papers.

 

You can use the X-Grip, just need the $10 ball mount that I have that screws into the handlebar control mount (you can see it installed here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...l#post16125089.

I also installed a unpowered 4-port USB hub in my fairing and it has worked great through the Texas summer charging my phone, my wife's phone, and playing music off a usb stick all at the same time (you can see it installed here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...l#post16161112