There’s no doubt that the various Can Am Maverick models make some of the best two seater and best four seater side-by-sides that money can buy.
But as sport side-by-sides with a focus on speed and recreation, how do they stack up with the fastest models in the industry?
Spoiler Alert: They’re not quite as fast as the fastest Polaris RZR 1000…yet.
But they’re a good bit faster than the next closest competition in the CFMoto ZForce Side-By-Sides and the Kawasaki Teryx sport side-by-sides.
But Can Am recently revealed that will change in 2024, as the brand new Can Am Maverick R will be the fastest side-by-side ever.
Three Maverick Models, Three Different Speeds
Until then, the Can Am Maverick is made up of three different models, each with a number of different trim styles.
The three main Maverick models are the Can Am Maverick X3, the Can Am Maverick Sport, and the Can Am Maverick Trail.
The Can Am Maverick top speed varies among each of these models.
There are several factors to consider when it comes to the top speed of the Can Am Maverick models. This guide will answer the following questions about each Maverick model.
- What is the top speed in stock condition?
- Does the model have a speed limiter?
- How can the speed limiter be bypassed to increase top speed?
- What modifications can be made to increase top speed?
- What is the top speed without the speed limiter and with modifications?
Can Am Maverick X3 Top Speed
The Can Am Maverick X3 is the sportiest and most popular of the Maverick models.
You can see how it compares to CFMoto’s much cheaper sport side-by-side in this review of the CFMoto ZForce 950.
The Maverick X3 is made up of three main sub-models, with 17 different trim styles between them. The key difference in each of these models is the engine power, of which there are three options.
| Sub-Model | Engine | Engine Power |
| Can Am Maverick Turbo | 900cc Turbo-charged triple-cylinder | 120 horsepower |
| Can Am Maverick Turbo R | 900cc Turbo-charged triple-cylinder | 172 horsepower |
| Can Am Maverick Turbo RR | 900cc Turbo-charged triple-cylinder | 200 horsepower |
And each of the 17 trim styles offer various differences in:
- Tire Size
- Tire Tread
- Suspension
- Engine Power
- Dynamic Power Steering
- Number of Seats
Now that you know the differences in each Maverick X3 sub-model, let’s review their top speeds.
Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo Top Speed
The Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo top speed is between 86 and 89 mph, putting it near the top of the list of the fastest side-by-sides available.
An electronic speed limiter exists in every Turbo trim style, keeping the X3 Turbo’s top speed consistent across the board.
Since it has the least powerful engine, the Maverick X3 Turbo will take the longest to reach its top speeds.
Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo R Top Speed
The Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo R top speed is also between 86 and 89 mph.
An electronic speed limiter exists in every Turbo R, limiting each one’s top speed to the same number.
With a more potent 172 HP engine, the Maverick X3 Turbo R can reach its top speed a few seconds quicker than the standard Turbo.
Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo RR Top Speed
Thanks to the existence of an electronic speed limiter, the Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo RR top speed is between 86 and 89 mph.
With its more powerful 200 HP engine, the X3 Turbo RR will hit its top speed around five seconds quicker than the X3 Turbo.
You can see how the fastest Mavericks stack up with the Can Am’s utility side-by-sides in this review of the Can Am Commander’s top speed.
Can Am Maverick Sport 1000R Top Speed
The second of the Maverick models, the Can Am Maverick Sport 1000R is just a tad less sporty than the Maverick X3.
This model currently offers 5 different trim levels, all featuring the same 976cc V-Twin engine with an output of 100 horsepower.
- Maverick Sport DPS
- Maverick Sport X XC
- Maverick Sport X MR
- Maverick Sport X RC
- Maverick Sport Max DPS
The Can Am Maverick Sport top speed is 75 mph. There is an electronic speed limiter installed that limits this model and each trim level to the same top speed.
Can Am Maverick Trail Top Speed
The third of the Maverick models, the Can Am Maverick Trail was designed for riding tight wooded trails.
It is still plenty sporty, just less-so than the other Maverick models. They’re right in line with competitive models like the Polaris RZR 800 in terms of speed.
The Can Am Maverick Trail features three different sub-models:
- Maverick Trail 700
- Maverick Trail 800
- Maverick Trail 1000
Can Am Maverick Trail 700 Top Speed
Boasting a 650cc single-cylinder engine with an output of 52 horsepower, the Can Am Maverick Trail 700 top speed is 60 mph.
This model is one of two current Maverick Trail models available, and does have an electronic speed limiter in place to restrict its top speed.
Can Am Maverick Trail 800 Top Speed
Powered by an 800cc V-twin engine with an output of around 51 horsepower, the Can Am Maverick Trail 800 top speed is 65 mph.
The Maverick Trail 800 is an older model that was replaced by the Maverick Trail 700 and is no longer produced.
It does have an electronic speed limiter in place that limits its top speed.
Can Am Maverick Trail 1000 Top Speed
The Can Am Maverick Trail 1000 top speed is 68 mph.
Despite being powered by a powerful 976cc V-Twin engine with an output of 75 horsepower, its top speed is restricted by an electronic speed limiter.
This model is one of the two Maverick Trail models currently offered, alongside the Trail 700.
MORE: Can Am Defender Top Speed
Modifications To Increase Top Speed
For owners who want to go faster than the stock Mavericks will allow, bypassing the speed limiter is a must.
But there are a few other modifications that can be made along with this to maximize the top speed of any model.
Bypassing the Speed Limiter With A Tune
Each of the Can Am Maverick models is restricted by an electronic speed limiter that kicks in around various speeds by model.
This speed electronic speed limiter can be bypassed, but it will take having the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit tuned or flashed to do so.
A tune is the more popular option, as it comes with the added benefits of optimizing the air to fuel ratios of your machine and reprogramming the radiator fan to engage at lower engine temperatures to help prevent overheating.
Upgrade The Air Intake
The air intake system consists of the airbox and air filter, and is responsible for supplying the engine with enough clean air that it can function.
The more air that can be funneled into the engine, the more power it can generate. This can be partly achieved by upgrading the air intake system.
Upgrade the Exhaust
The second half of increasing the airflow in and out of the engine to increase performance includes upgrading the exhaust system as well.
The added air in will result in added exhaust fumes, and those will need to be dispelled from the engine efficiently enough to offset this increase.
Upgrading to an exhaust system will help achieve this, while also increasing the sound output of your vehicle.
Check out this overview of Empire Exhaust for a look at one of the top providers of upgraded exhaust systems for Can Am Maverick models.
Upgrade The Clutch
Upgrading the clutch is another way to increase the performance of the Can Am Maverick models, and includes either adding a clutch kit or completely replacing the stock clutch.
This is highly recommended if increasing the power of your machine by way of modifications or adding bigger tires.
Both Evo Powersports and Airdam Clutches make top aftermarket clutch upgrades for Can Am Maverick models.
MORE: Can Am Defender Problems
Replace The Drive Belt
A best practice for ensuring your vehicle can reach its top speed is to frequently inspect the drive belt to ensure it still fits tightly and shows no signs of wear.
For those bypassing the ECU, it is recommended to upgrade to a more high quality drive belt as the stock belt is not made with this added speed and power in mind.
And it is important to realize that upgraded belt or not, any time you push the vehicle past its limits speed-wise, there is a chance the belt will blow out.
Upgrade To Bigger Tires
As the Maverick X3 models come with stock tires of between 30 and 34 inches in diameter, there isn’t much need for going bigger with them.
But for the Maverick Trail models and some of the Maverick Sport models that come with 26-inch and 27-inch stock tires, an upgrade to a bigger diameter tire may help increase the top speed of these models.
Run High Octane Fuel
Owners of any Maverick model should be running 91 or 93 octane fuel, and nothing lower.
Not only will this increase the longevity of the engine and its components, it should also result in better overall engine performance.
Can Am Maverick Top Speed After Modifications
Owners who have bypassed the speed limiters and added some combination of the modifications discussed above to their Maverick X3 Turbo models have found that they can reach top speeds of 100+ mph.
Making these modifications in either the Maverick Sport or Maverick Trail models should result in somewhere between 5 and 10 mph of added speed.
Conclusion
The Can Am Maverick top speed varies across the three main models that make up the line of Mavericks.
While there is an electronic speed limiter that restricts the speed of every Can Am Maverick model, owners do have the ability to bypass it.
There are also several other modifications owners can make in tandem with this to make their vehicles a good bit faster.
