Flyin' HIGH

If Raptors and Rubicons bore you, the 240-hp Can-Am Maverick R will kick-start your heart.

- David Beard

PUSHING 93 MPH ON A BROKEN and battered trail through a northern Michigan forest should be a terrifying experience. Trees flash by Wildlife peers through the dense growth. One midcorner miscalculation could trigger an epic rally-style barrel roll. Yet blurring the scenery in a 2024 Can-Am Maverick R isn't a big deal.

The Maverick R's high-speed off-road capability starts with beefy suspension arms and links. Big suspension packages aren't uncommon in this high-strung segment, but what sets the Maverick R apart are the extra-tall front knuckles and spider-leg upper control arms that meet above the tire. With the upper and lower ball joints in line, considerable deviations in the scrub radius during vertical motions are virtually removed. The setup also eliminates massive camber changes during full compression, keeping the tires flat on the ground.

Topping it off are Fox Live Valve adaptive dampers, part of an X-RS package, that adjust compression and rebound damping on the fly.