Everything Wrong With Our 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3

We expected to find all manner of horrors on the 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR we bought sight unseen from a Florida dealership. While the unit was a low-mile, low-hour example, nothing says “abuse” quite like a high-strung, turbocharged sand weapon. But when we unloaded the machine at our Knoxville, Tennessee, shop, we were surprised to find a rig that had seen some use but was far from hammered. Here’s everything wrong with our used Maverick X3.

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The most obvious issue with our new rig was the state of the rear tires. You could see those hammered factory meats from space. Turns out that when you pour 195 hp onto a locked rear axle, something has to give, and in our machine’s case, that was the rear rubber. At first, we thought that was a sign of someone cutting donuts and sending those back tires to Valhalla before trading the machine in, but after a little time with the Maverick X3, it’s more likely the machine spent some time driving around on pavement. We have some plans on this front in the form of some familiar tires from last year. Stay tuned.

Overall, our engine and drivetrain are in great shape. The transmission shifts great, the belt is in good shape, and the Rotax powerplant dishes out its muscle with glee. The only problem we’ve seen is a slightly weepy water pump gasket. That’s not a huge deal, as the system keeps the engine cool, but we’ll take care of it as soon as possible before it gets worse and leaves us stranded on the trail.

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We don’t know much about how the previous owner used this machine, but it looks like it spent plenty of time in the sand and sun. And because it was from Florida, that likely meant lots of time by the ocean. There’s a little corrosion and sun damage here and there, most notably on the machine’s belts. LIke the water pump, this isn’t a huge deal, and easily fixed with a set of aftermarket belts. Otherwise, the machine is shockingly clean. There’s none of the mud and dirt we’ve come to expect from used machines. Either the dealer took this machine apart and cleaned every nook and cranny or it didn’t have a hard life before it wound up in our hands.

Any used side-by-side is going to have its fair share of dents, dings, and scratches, and our pre-owned Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR is no different. We keep looking for some kind of horror only to find a lightly used machine in our garage. The rear arms have some scrapes. There’s a single ding on a rear radius arm. A scuff or two on the tubes near the door from people getting in and out. Otherwise it’s straight. So what’s next? New wheels and tires. A windscreen. And then some fun bits.

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