Can-Am Maverick X3 X RC Turbo R

I was looking at different tube frame/chasis to build a somewhat serious rock crawler. When I started to put the numbers together, it turned me off a little... didn't want to sink $50K plus into it. Then, I happened to pull into a Can-Am dealer in Houston and found one of these...


Any of you guys have experience with one? It looks badarse, but there are several things I would have to add to make it bulletproof...or close.

 

The XRS Turbo R is the one I'm looking at (mainly because it's the only one I fit in so far). I don't like the CVT drives on these things tho. They eat up belts, even the HD ones. I still have yet to check out the Yamaha YXZ and the new Honda that just came out (can't remember the name off hand).

BTW, expect to spend another $15-$20k to make it "bulletproof".

 

It wouldn't stack up to even a mild crawler build but they are fun. Can-Ams have had problems with belts for a long time now. If there is a Yamaha or Honda equivalent then I would consider it instead. Also, compare the turbo and non-turbo versions; there isn't a huge speed difference and you pay a lot more for the turbo.

 

Talon is the Honda model you are talking about.

I've had a pioneer 1000-5 with the dct for almost two years and it's been flawless. Not a belt fan here either.

 

I think everything has a cvt tranny except the hondas, but I understand the Yamaha has the best cvt.

 

I'm no expert but I've been reading alot on these lately. The turbo mav x3 is what everyone is chasing right now. Power ride etc. Nothing close. They are king for dunes and trail riding from an OEM. As far as crawling, idk. They are who everyone is measured against.

The yamaha can be bought with a true manual trans. Which is cool.

 

The Yamaha YXZ is clutch driven. Their other products are CVT tho.

 

Something like this is what I had in mind at first. The build money is way more than I intended to spend after writing it out on paper.

You want $20K for the Jeep?

 

Yeah... that is pretty much the numbers in my head. Luckily, there are several different 4x4/UTV allowed rock parks within 4 hours from our house. A couple with RV pads with utilities. I have no love for the mud parks around here anymore. Got that out of my system at a much younger age. LOL

 

If you go can am be prepared for a few issues. First make sure you get one with the front diff lock. Then gusset the front bulkhead. Rear arm pivots are single shear I believe so address that as well. Cvt will always be a weak link but the evo and trinity belts have seen good results. Break in procedure is a must for belt life. If cost is a factor I think an old jeep would be a better idea than a sxs. That being said, I've owned or driven all of them. Were on our second yxz for a reason. All factory cages are garbage. Do NOT skimp on safety items like a good cage and harnesses. Performance is useless if you're a paraplegic and it doesnt take much to crumple these like tin cans. Ask me how I know.

Shoot me any questions over PM if you want. Lots of experience with these machines both recreationally and in racing. All have pros and cons.

 

I'm in the same boat, which is why I keep revisiting the SXS option. They're easy to work on and when they break in the field, they're far easier to fix. I keep going back and forth tho b'c those things aren't made for big people.

 

Btw the yamaha starts about 10k cheaper than a x3. I had our last one for 2 years. Never broke. Nothing. Not one single issue. It would outrun rzrs and x3s and I was n/a. Climbed everything easily.

Btw I 6'2" and 240lb. X3 and yxz are the comfier of the bunch. Yxz is snug but I have no issues 4iding comfortably

 

It all comes down to how much you want to spend and what you intend to use it for.
SXS are cool if their are plenty of places to ride and if they are street legal in your state that's a big bonus.
The X3 is the best on the market. Yes it uses a CVT belt but it is a sacrificial failure point that can be quickly and easily fixed.
Belt failures are typically attributed to driver abuse, error, running too big of tires without re-clutching.
I have an OG Maverick XDS non-turbo. Tried and true reliable Rotax 1000cc 105hp. Never have blown a belt.
It has plenty of power and has better visibility out the front end than an X3. The X3 is a more laid back driving position.
The X3 has ridiculous power, and plenty of people run out of talent in them and total them. For woods, rock, mountain riding you wont have room to stretch the X3's legs.
If you have the money, the X3s are the way to go.
If you want a budget machine that is capable, look for a used low miles. People take baths on SXS to chase the latest and greatest machine.

 

Noticed they have the turbo option for those now in the configurator too. My issue with the size in the others has been my knees and shins hitting the dash. Still need to sit in the YXZ. Does it lie back a little like the X3 or do you sit more upright like most SXS's?

 

The yxz does not use a cvt clutch system. It's actually a multiplate wet clutch (as used in motorcycles). If you're using it to crawl, you will certainly want the gear reduction kit installed. As stock, it's not a great choice for crawling. Be sure to have a competent dealer install the kit. I've seen many dealers cause a great deal of damage by not following the installation instructions verbatim.

I would also discourage lifting or changing tire sizes of the yxz in any capacity. Additionally, buy the Yamaha extended warranty, and thank me later (you will have failures with ALL of the vehicles you're looking at, but this warranty will save you money).

 

Thats good info...thanks! I'm 6'3" and 205lbs... I fit in the X3 fairly comfortable with seat all the way back. Not sure about 2 hours ot more in that position though.. I will check out Yami.

 

Lie back. It's almost as aggressive as a seating position as the x3.

 

I looked at the x3 last week because I need to get something more stock and get rid of my Maverick 1000r xrs. It’s just too much for where we are moving in Colorado.


The x3 turbo has plenty of power and great suspension, but it’s a little cramped for me, and I didn’t like the way the seating position is so leaned back.

 

Doubling down on what @ColoradoTJ mentioned, but what do you want to do with it? Don’t think I missed it, but you mentioned serious crawler in your first post. Does that mean that you are tying to hit trails like the hammers or moonrocks, arguably some of the hardest in the country? Or do you want more of a do it all kind of setup? I ask, because what you want to do with will determine the setup. What you posted is a rock bouncer chassis. I haven't been in a whole lot of those, but the visibility in those kind of sucks. They are more setup for a get to an obstacle and smash it type of wheeling. If you want a technical crawler, then more visibility is your friend. Also, bouncers tend to have ridiculously long wheelbases for stability while crawling vertically. While this is a benefit if you want to do that, it will kill your breakover angle, unless you're on 42"+ tires. Desired tire size is then the indicator of how everything else needs to be built. Meaning 40"+ requires one tons, 8 lugs, bigger brakes, bigger link joints, etc. Even with all that, it may not be enough on a 130-140" wheelbase that some of those things have. In the crawler world, somewhere around 110" is considered to be "optimal" or "preferred". If you are in a TJ/XJ/LJ, etc, then 105" is achievable with VERY good approach and departure angles. Again though, it all goes back to what you want to do with it. If you want to go fast offroad, meaning Ultra4 style wheeling, then your budget needs to easily doubled. I presume this is not what you are looking for, since you said you wanted to keep it cheap. Just have to decide on the type of wheeling you want to do since Air shocks for example, while good for crawling, will overheat and fade in a faster chop environment.

Also, also, I presume you have pretty good fabrication skills? Meaning, you plan on welding up your own chassis, axles, suspension(with good geometry), custom fab'd brackets,etc. I only ask because this is the stuff that nickles and dimes you if you aren't. if the big stuff costs you 20k, the little stuff can cost you 10k more. Don't want to discourage you from it though, crawlers are my jam. My vote is that everyone should have a crawler at least once in their life. Especially a tube chassis.

If you are stuck on the side-by-side size, there is a company out near Louisville, KY called Bent Fabrications. Link He is a small shop, but has chassis in different ultra4 events across the nation. Anyway, he makes a chassis called the EVO2 Grunt Mini. It's designed to have 4cyl or V6 engines and Toyota axles. I'd say you could easily build one for under $20k. but still net a 110' wheelbase and be able to run 37-40" tires.

Here is a build thread link to "RZRKILLER". When that thing was released, it was all over the internet. I think it put Bent Fab on the map. Also found out that it went up for sale.







Size reference.



However you decide to skin the cat, building is always 100% more expensive than buying someone else's finished or semi-finished product. You never get your money out of these things. Like mentioned above, look at used rigs for sale. Pirate4x4 is always a good resource for someone getting out of the game. You can sometimes get other people's rigs for 1/2 what they have into them.

Lastly, @ColoradoTJ's TJ is a hell of a deal. If I wasn't parting out my own crawler and was looking for one, i'd be on that one like white on rice.

Sorry for the long post. As mentioned, crawlers are my jam. Hope this helps!

 

Yes sir, that Jeep is a deal, but I can't fit it in a toy carrier! I'm leaning on the SxS right now for that reason. Like you said, building one would be great fun and a bad investment. It didn't take me real long to figure that part out after running the numbers. I think I am going to get my fet wet with one of the SxS's and go from there. I just retired a couple of years ago and idle time still drives me nuts. I have a couple of boats, a JD Gator, a Harley and a ton of stuff in my barn to fill my time... but something new and shiney really gets me going...LOL Plus, when my wife retires in a few more years, we will be on the road alot god-willing.

Oh yeah, that frame is badarse!