If you've ever threaded your Can-Am Maverick X3 through a tight tree line at speed, you already know the cost. One wrong angle and your rocker panels, body work, and rear fenders take the hit. Replacement panels aren't cheap, and the damage adds up fast.
That's exactly why we built the HMF Tree Kickers. Not as an afterthought. Not as a re-branded nerf bar. As a purpose-built side protection system for the X3 that takes abuse so your machine doesn't.
What Makes HMF Tree Kickers Different
There are tree kickers on the market. We've seen them. Some use thinner tubing. Some bolt on with minimal frame contact. Some look the part until the first real hit exposes the gap between marketing and metal.
How HMF Compares to the Competition
We're not going to trash other brands. But we will let the specs speak for themselves.
Most competing tree kickers for the Can-Am Maverick X3 use similar .095" wall DOM tubing with bolt-on designs. Some run 1.50" diameter tubing. Others go up to 1.75". What separates them is how they're built, how they're finished, and what happens when they take a real hit.
Where it Stands Out.
The TIG welding is the difference maker. Many competitors use standard MIG welding, which is faster and cheaper to produce but creates a weaker, less precise bead. TIG welding takes more time and more skill, but the result is a joint that absorbs and distributes impact forces more effectively, especially under repeated stress. That matters when you're running trails season after season, not just once.
Our powdercoat process is industrial-grade and UV-resistant. Some competitors use basic powder or paint finishes that start fading or chipping within months of regular use. If you're spending real money on protection, it should still look right a year from now.
The mounting system is another point of separation. HMF Tree Kickers are engineered to interface directly with the X3's stock frame geometry. Every contact point is designed specifically for the Maverick X3 platform, which means tighter tolerances, less flex, and better energy transfer on impact.
Tree kickers aren't just about protecting body panels. HMF Tree Kickers act as a deflection point, guiding your rear wheels around obstacles instead of into them. The tree contacts the kicker, the kicker redirects the force along the tube, and your machine keeps moving forward. It's the difference between a clean pass and a bent radius rod.
Pair It with More X3 Protection
The Tree Kickers are one piece of the puzzle. If you're building out your X3 for serious trail use, here's what else we make for the platform:
HD Front Bumper.095" steel with an integrated winch-mount plate rated to 4,500 lbs. Works with any standard 6" UTV fairlead. Shop HD Front Bumper
Rear Bumper Same .095" wall steel construction. Mounts directly to the frame for full rear-end impact protection. Shop Rear Bumper
Rear Cargo Rack A tailgate-style rack that lets you strap down and haul cargo. Mounts to the bed and cage tubes. Shop Rear Cargo Rack
Dual Full Turbo-Back Exhaust Performance or Titan Series. +6 HP, +4 ft-lbs, weighs just 14.5 lbs total. If you're upgrading the outside, might as well upgrade the sound. Shop X3 Exhausts
About HMF Racing
HMF Racing has been engineering and fabricating off-road parts since 1997 out of Berea, Ohio. What started with high-performance exhausts in a garage has grown into a full line of exhaust systems, bumpers, rock sliders, racks, and protective equipment for over 20 different off-road vehicles. Every piece of HMF equipment is designed, welded, and finished in the USA.
Browse all Can-Am Maverick X3 Equipment
Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2026
