A Look Inside The Can-Am Maverick XMR: Could This Be The Ultimate Mud Machine?

Most side-by-side enthusiasts, regardless of the brand they’re loyal to, can appreciate all the extras that BRP included in their stock Can-Am Maverick XMR. The heavier a-arms, better shocks, digital gauges, and snorkels on the Can-Am Maverick X MR distinguish it form other Maverick editions. And when you add the included 4,500 lb UTV winch, smart-lock front differential, and lower gearing of the XMR, you get a super capable UTV that will handle whatever style of riding you do. However, with the Can-Am Maverick XRC being a similar machine in terms of capabilities, many riders debate themselves about which one to get. So if you're in a heated battle with yourself and can't decide whether to get he Can-Am Maverick X MR or the Can-Am Maverick X RC, we've got the specs, facts, and statistics to help you make a better-informed decision. Keep reading and find out more about the Can-Am Maverick X MR!

The Can-Am Maverick XMR Vs. The Maverick XRC

The Maverick XMR and XRC are surprisingly close to being the exact same machine. However, while the Maverick RC is set up for rocks and rock crawling, the Maverick MR is set up to be a mud-ripping beast. Serious mud riders love the snorkel setup on the Can-Am Maverick XMR, but for those not looking to get down and dirty in the deep stuff, Can-Am Maverick snorkel kits still prove useful as preventative accessories, and are prefect for trail expeditions where unavoidable mud / water hazards unexpectedly arise. 

The color scheme of each of the two Maverick X editions is also a factor to consider. The XRC comes in a blue color, and the Can-Am Maverick XMR has a yellow color scheme. At the end of the day, however, changing the exterior color of your side-by-side is rather simple when compared to the other aftermarket modifications that are in the cards for those who can afford them. 

With regards to trail, mud, and rock riding, it never hurts to be slightly over-built, as you never know what -- or where -- you might ride tomorrow. You could encounter swampy mud in the lowlands one week, then alpine boulders above the tree line the next. It's one thing to be a mudder, bog-banger, or bayou buster, but you should never be afraid or restricted by mud and water when you're trail riding or off-roading. Even if intend on sticking to dry land for the most part, the stronger suspension and factory snorkels on the Maverick XMR are both lifesavers when navigating around mud, snow, or water is out of the question.

Swapping out the tires on your Can-Am UTV can make a big difference as well. Despite being all-around tires for general use, Maxxis Liberty tires are more than capable on the XRC. But throw a set of Cryptids by ITP on either the X MR or the X RC and you’ll be ready for the gnarliest of pits of muck and mire. That being said, if you’re going to be riding technical trails and rocky terrain, the factory rock sliders and rear bumper that comes stock on the XRC help to make it more suitable for big boulders and craggy terrain — pebbles and cobblestone be damned!

Another thing you may find different after upgrading the stock tires and rims on your Maverick XMR is the that the turning radius is different than standard Sport editions of the Can-Am Maverick. The same is true for Can-Am quads. For example, both the XMR Outlanders and Renegades have a different pitman arm than the regular Outlander and Renegade Can-Am four wheelers. This is due to the size of the factory mud tires they come with. The bigger the tire, the bigger the turning radius.

There are part diagrams out there that can help you see and conceptualize every minor difference between the Can-Am Maverick X MR and the Maverick X RC. Where we to name everything here, this post would drag on like a busted skid plate.

The Maverick XMR Vs. The Maverick Sport XDS

Back in the day, a good number of riders bought a Can-Am Maverick XDS for the turbo -- after all, you can always add aftermarket accessories and XMR mods as needed. This was great while it lasted, as the added power of the turbocharger helped to turn larger tires in lower RPM ranges. Nowadays, though, BPR no longer makes the Maverick Sport XDS with a turbo. In place of the OG Maverick, the Maverick X3 emerged and assumed the turbo mantle. Currently, the Can-Am Maverick X3 is the only Can-Am UTV that comes stock with a turbo option. This could change in the future, so we'll have to wait patiently and see.

Getting More Oomph Out of the Can-Am Maverick XMR

The XMR has power no doubt, but throw on an 8-inch S3 lift, 37” tires, and 22” wheels, and the souped up rig may struggle to get wheels to spin in thick mud or viscus clay. Add a set of portals into the mix and you’ll have very little pull in deep mud without an aftermarket clutch — both primary and secondary. 

Unless you don’t want to go over about 25mph, we’d suggest not running portals on that XMR. We know people that got so fed up with how slow their machine was with portals that they swapped them out with a suspension lift instead. That being said, an XMR with STM or Dalton clutches, a built-up transmission, and an added gear reduction will be the ultimate mud machine. In low, sure it'll be slow. But in high, you can go 45 all day long. However, at around nine grand for everything, it’s a pretty penny for most casual riders -- and even some die-hard mudders. If the Can-Am Maverick XMR is for you, though, there's no better machine on the market today!