Shocks, travel, and lift kits for Maverick R, Maverick X3, Defender & Commander — jump to your model below.
The Maverick R already ships with heavy-duty tall-knuckle suspension and up to 25 in. of travel, so most owners upgrade for one of two reasons: adding bypass-style shocks that hold up better under sustained high-speed desert abuse, or fine-tuning compression and rebound for a specific terrain — dunes, whoops, or the rockier terrain the X rc package is built for.
If your unit didn't come with Can-Am's Smart-Shox™ package from the factory, it's worth checking whether your dealer can retrofit it — Smart-Shox electronically adjusts damping in real time, which is otherwise hard to replicate with a manual aftermarket shock.
The X3 built its reputation on class-leading stock travel and FOX Racing Shox 2.5 Podium QS3 shocks straight from the factory — already race-proven before any upgrades. Owners typically chase upgrades here for two reasons: added travel via long-travel A-arm kits for serious desert and rock racing, or bypass/reservoir shocks that handle sustained abuse better than the stock QS3 units.
Trims without Smart-Shox or FOX Live Valve can often be upgraded through Can-Am's accessory catalog — worth checking with your dealer before going aftermarket if you want to keep everything under factory warranty terms.
Defender's suspension is tuned for towing and payload first, trail comfort second — so most upgrades here aren't about adding travel, they're about leveling the stance to clear larger tires without throwing off the geometry that makes Defender tow and haul predictably.
Can-Am offers a factory 2-in. accessory lift kit through the dealer network — the safest way to gain tire clearance without affecting your factory towing rating or warranty coverage.
Commander splits the difference between trail riding and utility work, and its stock suspension reflects that — comfortable but not aggressively tuned either direction. Most upgrades here aim at either firming up handling for trail riding or leveling the stance for larger tires and added ground clearance.
Ask your dealer about Can-Am's factory shock upgrade kit for Commander before going aftermarket — it's a straightforward swap that keeps everything within factory spec.
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