As the name suggests, a drive belt is the part that “drives” all of the engine accessories and is vital to keeping any vehicle running. It is responsible for connecting multiple peripheral devices in an engine to transmit power and ensure you don’t get stranded. Since drive belts are made from rubber and various polymers, they tend to wear out through normal use, and they can also simply degrade over time due to heat and friction. There are many ways to prolong the belt life on your vehicle that depend on the proper break-in, using the correct clutch setup, and, most importantly, your driving style. If you are in the market to replace your worn belt or simply are looking into upgrading the drive belt on your Can-Am Maverick X3, several aftermarket companies offer attractive ones that will up your performance as well.
We have compiled the below list of the top 5 best drive belts for your Can-Am Maverick X3 to take the guesswork out of what is best for your ride. You can also check out our entire inventory or Maverick X3 drive belts right here. It’s important to note that if you do not break the drive belt in properly, you will find yourself shredding the belt instead of the trails. In fact, most Powersports belt failures are caused by an improper break-in and clutch adjustment, or sometimes not breaking the new belt in at all. To avoid this unpleasant faith, follow the following steps to ensure the best performance and longest life from your upgraded drive belt. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us by phone at 1-480-966-3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.
Take Note:
- Proper belt break-in:
- Vary your speed and engine RPM to allow the belt to shift through the normal operational range
- During the first 30 miles of installation, do not exceed ¾ throttle
- Every 15 minutes of use, stop the engine and allow the belt to cool down
- Avoid the following activities during break-in:
- Pulling/Towing heavy loads
- Aggressive acceleration or jerky throttle at low speeds
- Holding speed or RPM constant for extended time periods
- Excessive driving without CVT/belt cool down
1. Trinity Racing Sandstorm Performance Drive Belt
Since its inception, Trinity Racing has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to offering top-quality components for the ATV and UTV industry. Its Sandstorm Performance Drive Belt for the Can-Am Maverick is the ultimate upgrade and the most rugged, strongest, and longest-lasting belt available for your high-performance side-by-side. This drive belt is designed for all riding conditions, including dirt, mud, sand, and rough trails. It is far superior to OEM, S, and E Compound quality, with a higher tensile strength cord construction and BDC top cog compound. Such helps to retain rigidity and better adhesion of top cog to cord construction. The overall make boasts flexibility, heat resistance, less slippage, and smoother engagement.
The Sandstorm Drive Belt is specifically designed for high-horsepower units. It is four times stronger than any OEM or aftermarket belt on the market for cord pop-out resistance. This product was engineered to keep maximum under-cord stiffness across the belt while giving a stable cord construction base and allowing it to flex for efficiency and cool running temperatures. What’s more, it can carry more than 10,000 pounds of tension without stretching or breaking. It can also handle the heat/friction for maximum power transfer through clutches for optimal performance.
Features:
- Rugged, Strong, and Long-Lasting
- Helps Retain Cord Line Position
- Ultra-Strong Aramid Fiber Cord
- Heat-Resistant Polymer DUMAX
- Designed For Any Driving Conditions
2. Agency Power Performance Drive Belt
Without upgrading your drive belt, driving your machine too hard can take quite the toll on the factory drive belt’s limits. Agency Power’s Performance Drive Belt will have you driving your Can-Am Maverick X3 the way it should be driven. The drive belt is a critical part of your vehicle’s drivetrain and helps things run smoothly so you can run wild on the weekend. That being said, carrying a spare or upgrading your drive belt altogether is a must for UTV owners! And the UTV experts at Agency Power have exactly what you need to keep your machine performing optimally.
Agency Power offers this drive belt upgrade, which is a huge improvement over the stock counterpart. The Agency Power Performance Drive Belt features a double-notch design that is a perfect, direct replacement for the factory Can-Am Maverick X3 belt. It uses a Kevlar construction to give the belt more strength, along with better heat and chemical resistance. As a direct factory replacement belt, this product installs and fits just like the OEM one. This drive belt is a top option to help get enjoy a longer ride and keep the power to the ground.
Features:
- Huge Improvement Over Stock Part
- Kevlar Reinforced Construction
- Has a Double-Notch Design
- Direct Factory Replacement
- Stronger and More Chemical-Resistant
3. Ultimax XP UXP488 Drive Belt
The Ultimax XP is the ultimate drive belt, uniquely engineered for added strength, reliability, and longevity. In short, the Ultimax XP is designed for extreme performance and made to be used on high-powered machines. Everything about a Ultimax belt is designed to deliver performance and dependability for your vehicle. With specially formulated rubber compounds and extra strong aramid cord, Ultimax drive belts are made for the rider who refuses to settle for second best. It performs well over the stock part and will have you riding like never before!
This Ultimax XP UXP488 Drive Belt is crafted with fiber-loaded advanced polymer compounds designed specifically for your Can-Am Maverick X3 to grip the clutches throughout the lifespan of the belt. The belt’s dimensions are held to tight tolerances using new manufacturing processes that reduce variation so every belt performs consistently. If you are looking for a drive belt made from heavy-duty material to handle the brutal abuse of one of the world’s best high-powered vehicles, Ultimax has you covered.
Features:
- Severe Duty Belt Engineered for Extreme Performance
- Purpose-Built for the Unique Demands of Harsh CVT Environments
- Developed for Today’s High-Powered UTV and Side-by-Side Vehicles
- Each Belt is Designed for a Specific Demanding Application
- Engineered to Handle Heat, Load, and Abuse
4. Dayco Aftermarket XTX ATV Drive Belt
Dayco XTX ATV and UTV drive belts are revolutionary and engineered for those monster machines powered by 800cc and higher engines. Manufactured with specially formulated high-temperature polychloroprene with the highest level of aramid fiber reinforcement available, the Dayco XTX belt delivers track-churning performance for the most aggressive riders. This innovative breakthrough design features deeper cogs on top and rounded cogs on the bottom for the ultimate flexibility and longevity while also providing a better alternative to the Can-Am Maverick X3’s OEM drive belt.
This race-tested Dayco XTX belt gives extreme riders the best out-of-the-hole acceleration, throttle response, and durability for the ride of a lifetime – each and every time! Benefits include quicker throttle response at mid-speed acceleration with a more consistent response at high speeds. You will also experience better performance as you decelerate with enhanced engine braking as well. This drive belt from Dayco runs much cooler than leading competitors and has been thoroughly tested at over 12,000 RPMs. A reduction in slippage during the highest levels of torque is also evident as well as increased overall horsepower capacity.
Features:
- Faster and More Consistent Throttle Response
- Greater Secondary Acceleration at High RPMs
- Reduction in Slippage During High Levels of Torque
- Better Performance During Deceleration
- More Responsive Engine Braking
- Tested and Proven Reliable at well over 12,000 RPMs
- Cooler Running Than the Leading Competitors
5. Gates G-FORCE Redline CVT Belt
Gates G-Force RedLine Series products are the first of a new generation of CVT belts featuring an innovative design and proprietary materials for better results than the competition. These belts are engineered for the most demanding, turbocharged off-road applications as they are made to handle extreme temperatures with excellent heat recovery. At the same time, they maximize load and torque capacity – making the G-Force CVT Belt one of the most efficient ones currently available on the market.
Gates G-Force RedLine CVT Belts are the first on the market to utilize a patented, fiber-reinforced Ethylene Elastomer compound. This provides maximum transverse stiffness and unmatched heat resistance which allows for increased durability, greater load-carrying capability, and a higher effective operating temperature – ideal for high-horsepower UTVs in tough riding conditions. Other benefits include improved durability and crack-and-wear resistance which result in a long-lasting, high-performance power transmission belt for the most demanding applications.
This belt delivers 75 percent greater dynamic axial stiffness on average, up to 50 percent lower speed losses, and better recovery from temperatures up to 338°F (170°C) without any loss of power. In fact, this product reduces speed loss by 50 percent under high loads and increases the load capacity by >10 percent. What’s more, the RedLine belt runs cooler than the competition with an extended lifespan (100-300 percent) as proven in severe-duty testing.
Features:
- Great Heat Resistance and Recovery
- Optimized, Patented EE Compound
- Unmatched Temperature Capability
- Higher Power Capacity, Extended Lifespan
- Better Acceleration, Higher Top Speeds
- Crack-and-Wear Resistance for Longevity
- Reduced Environmental Risk