Just curious as to what everyone thinks is the most comfortable atv for long all day rides? I'm looking to buy a quad and want something comfortable to ride. I may have a passenger once in a while but it will mostly be just me riding. Thanks for any input.

 

I would recommend the Polaris Touring. They have it with 550, 570, and 850 cc engines available. Second in a two person machine would be a Can-Am Outlander Max. It's available with a 400, 500, 650, 800, or 1000 cc engine. I don't know much about Arctic Cats so I can't give you much information on them. They also have 2 person machines available.

 

Don't know your brand preferences so I will stay out of the brand discussion. But there are a lot of factors that can help you make a decision. First, is how tall or large are you? I am not very tall and my small 420 is comfortable to ride for long periods. But I have a friend who is probably 6'3" and 260#. With his "football knees" he is not comfortable at all on my quad. His knees are bent to much and his weight makes my quad sit low. For him, he needed and did buy a bigger machine to be more comfortable.

Another suggestion, is if you are doing a lot of long term riding make sure you get a machine with IRS. That helps smooth out the ride a lot compared to a solid axle.

Hope these hints help.

 

A roomy Full sizes chassis vs a Mid size chassis with IRS are two things that help with comfort the most. Also look into suspension travel, the more the better if the two have IRS.

Polaris are well know for comfort but a lot of that was due to their very cushy wide seats.

A example is a Suzuki 450KQ was a full sizes chassis like its 750kq big bother while a 450 Grizzly is a mid size chassis unlike its 550/700 bigger brothers.

 

My Sportsman 500 was very comfortable until I hit a stump last week. It didn't hurt the quad at all.

 

Strictly for comfort, I hear that the sportsmans ride like your on a cloud. A 2up machine will be even more comfortable due to the extended wheelbase.

 

Rides like a cloud but unfortunately steers like one as well.

 

The only real two options out there for comfort and features is polaris and can am. The other brands (including honda) don't come close to the features and comfort.
I'd say the polaris xp series is the most comfortable- especially with its narrow saddle and tuned suspension.

 

Not sure what your riding style will be, or your physical build.
I'm 6'4", 260 pounds. My last machine was an Arctic Cat 400 2x4. It ran fine, handled great, but didn't do what I needed it to around the yard. I needed something a little heavier and 4WD. I also wanted IRS and Fuel Injection.
I test rode several, Yamaha 400 and 500, Kaw 500, Larger Arctic Cats.
Then I sat on the Polaris 800. It was like night and day. Wide soft seat, lots of leg room, long and wide stance for stability.
A good comparison was the difference between a park bench and a lazy boy recliner.
I don't do mud, I don't hill climb. I basically work around the yard and do flat trails and this one works for ME.
Your Mileage May Vary

 

Most comfortable is very subjective and only your butt will know. Get out and test ride.