What is the best Can-Am Side-by-Side for trail riding?

Choosing the right Can-Am trail side-by-side can feel overwhelming at first, but all it really comes down to is answering a few basic questions and the regulations of where you want to ride. Taking into account the terrain you will ride on, the conditions you’re likely to encounter and your personal style will help you zero in on the perfect model for you. This quick guide will walk you through the process of finding your very own trail side-by-side. 

Everything starts with whether the trails you’re planning to ride have any side-by-side limitations. While every Can-Am side-by-side delivers amazing capability on just about any trail, some trails limit where you can ride based on the overall width of your vehicle. This is why picking the right one is key. The Can-Am Maverick Trail is our narrowest side-by-side at just 50 inches (127 cm) wide. The Maverick Sport is a little wider at 60 inches (152.4 cm) but offers a little more space for the driver and passenger. The Maverick X3 is the ride that’s built for anything you or the trail can throw at it; the ride is available in our widest 72-inch (183 cm) stance for ultimate capability in the dunes and desert riding, or a 64-inch (162.5 cm) stance for running through the trails. No matter which model you decide on, you’re guaranteed an all-out Can-Am adventure.

How Sporty Do You Want the Ride?

When it comes to high-performance off-road vehicles, the Maverick X3 is Can-Am’s undisputed king of the trail, desert, dunes and pretty much everywhere else. Built to spec with extreme capabilities to tame the most demanding terrain on earth, it offers a sky-high thrill level nothing else can match.

A model like the Can-Am Maverick Sport is the perfect solution for those who like to see what they’re passing at a milder pace. Adventure capability is the name of the game with this one. Trading horsepower and podium-worthy performance for roomy comfort, well-rounded capability and cargo capacity, the Maverick Sport is your go-anywhere ticket to adventure in the great outdoors with available packages geared for specific types of terrain.

Need to add a little brawn to your next adventure? Meet the Can-Am Commander series. The perfect no-compromise play-hard/work-hard trail side-by-side that combines a comfortable, sporty ride with workhorse-like capability to get the toughest jobs done around the homestead, too.

What Terrain are You Riding?

Where you are in the world has a big influence on which Can-Am trail side-by-side is right for you. In the wide-open deserts and sand dunes, the added stability of a wider base and superior capabilities of a vehicle specifically designed for such terrain — like the Can-Am Maverick X3 X rs Turbo RR at 72 inches wide — can elevate your adventures immensely.

A wooded trail ride with tighter turns and firmer ground lends itself to different specifications that level up your experience. In this case, a 64-inch version of the Maverick X3 would be ideal for the narrower paths through the trees and for navigating the tighter trail twists. The Commander, Maverick Trail or Maverick Sport would also do the trick in narrow trails if you’re looking for a milder pace.

More Can-Am Trail Riding Specifics

Sand dunes and forests aren’t the only terrain where epic adventures hide. Mud and rocks can make for buckets of fun and excitement when you have the right vehicle. That’s why Can-Am engineers have developed side-by-side model packages specifically designed to conquer those various types of terrain with ease. It’s all to help you enjoy any adventure you set your mind to.

Beyond the vehicle specs, the Can-Am team has also developed accessories to accompany you and your crew to epic destinations on whatever trail you can dream up. With ingenious ease of use, the full lineup of Can-Am accessories — from coolers to cargo, and from sound systems to bumpers and skid plates — allows riders to venture deeper, see more and enjoy exploring more than ever.

If you still have questions about which Can-Am trail side-by-side is right for you, contact your local Can-Am Off-Road dealer. And don’t forget to check out the Owner Zone on our website for more info and tips on the latest Can-Am vehicles and adventures. Let’s get out there and chase thrills!