The new System 3 Defender HD11 build starts with one of Can-Am’s most extensively equipped utility side-by-sides: the six-passenger 2026 Can-Am Defender MAX Limited HD11. Called the Project All-Terrain Defender HD11, it will evolve over the next several months into a versatile machine intended for trail riding, desert travel, rock crawling and overland adventures.
The first stage establishes the Defender’s tire-and-wheel foundation with 33-inch System 3 RC500 tires mounted on confirmed 15×9-inch SB-9 beadlock wheels. While this initial change gives the machine a noticeably more aggressive stance, System 3 says it is only the beginning of a much more involved build.
Project starting point: Can-Am Defender MAX Limited HD11
Why System 3 Chose the Defender MAX Limited HD11
The redesigned 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 gives System 3 an unusually capable starting platform. Its naturally aspirated 999cc Rotax ACE inline-three produces 95 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque, paired with a pDrive primary clutch and QRS-X continuously variable transmission.
The MAX chassis adds a second row of seating and room for up to six occupants. That additional passenger capacity should be particularly useful for the project’s planned trail, recreational and overland roles.
As a Limited model, the System 3 project vehicle also starts with a fully enclosed cab, heating and air conditioning, power windows, a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, integrated front and rear cameras and a four-speaker JL Audio system.
Despite its premium cabin, the Defender MAX Limited retains serious working capability. It is rated to tow up to 2,500 pounds and carry up to 1,500 pounds of total payload, and it comes equipped with a 4,500-pound factory winch.
That combination of passenger room, climate-controlled comfort, utility capacity and the smoother HD11 powertrain makes the Defender MAX Limited a logical foundation for a do-it-all project. The challenge will be expanding its recreational capability without compromising the comfort and utility that distinguish the Limited model.
Project All-Terrain Begins
System 3 Offroad’s Colt Brinkerhoff says the finished Defender is being developed to handle an unusually broad range of terrain. The stated goals include trail riding, desert travel, rock crawling and overland adventures rather than specializing the machine for one narrow type of use.
System 3 will work with several aftermarket partners as the project progresses, with additional components and installation stages planned over the coming months. Those partners and future upgrades will be added to this build series as they are announced.
In the introductory video below, Brinkerhoff outlines the goals for the Project All-Terrain Defender HD11 and presents its first upgrade: 33-inch RC500 tires mounted on 15×9-inch SB-9 beadlock wheels.
33-Inch System 3 RC500 Tires
The first stage pairs the Defender with 33-inch System 3 RC500 tires. System 3 describes the RC500 as a multipurpose rock-crawling and trail tire capable of working across rocks, loose terrain and hardpack.
The standard RC500 uses a trail-oriented rubber compound and a 10-ply-rated carcass. That distinguishes it from the softer RC500S sticky tire, which is more heavily focused on low-speed technical rock crawling. The standard tire’s heavier carcass and longer-wearing compound are better aligned with this Defender’s intended all-terrain use.
Its tread incorporates wide, staggered blocks with interlocking elements measuring between 0.65 and 1 inch deep. A reinforced lower sidewall and deep rim guard provide additional protection around the wheel lip while helping reduce the risk of pinch damage when tire pressures are lowered for difficult terrain.
Although the project has not yet reached the trail-testing stage, the RC500’s combination of durability, tread depth and multipurpose traction makes it a logical starting point for a Defender expected to encounter several different types of terrain.
33-Inch System 3 RC500 Tires mounted on 15×9-Inch System 3 SB-9 Beadlock Wheels
15×9-Inch System 3 SB-9 Beadlock Wheels
The RC500 tires are mounted on 15×9-inch System 3 SB-9 beadlock wheels. The unusually wide wheel profile and deeper offset help give the Defender its noticeably broader and more aggressive stance.
Each SB-9 has a 1,500-pound load rating and uses a 10mm-thick 6061 billet-aluminum beadlock ring secured by 20 Grade 8 bolts. The mechanical beadlock allows the tire to remain clamped to the wheel when running reduced pressures for added traction in rocks, sand or loose terrain.
That construction is especially relevant on a large six-passenger machine such as the Defender MAX Limited, where wheel strength and load capacity are important considerations alongside appearance.
System 3 Defender HD11 Build Specifications
| Component | Current Specification | Build Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Base Vehicle | 2026 Can-Am Defender MAX Limited HD11 | Six-passenger, climate-controlled utility and recreation platform |
| Engine | 999cc Rotax ACE inline-three | 95 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque |
| Tires | 33-inch System 3 RC500 | Multipurpose traction for rocks, loose dirt, hardpack and trails |
| Wheels | 15×9-inch System 3 SB-9 beadlocks | Wider stance, high load capacity and mechanical bead retention |
| Future Upgrades | To be announced | Trail riding, desert travel, rock crawling and overland use |
System 3 Defender HD11 Build: What Comes Next?
The tire-and-wheel installation establishes the direction of the project, but it does not represent a finished build. System 3 has not yet released a complete parts list or detailed testing results, and the company says additional partner upgrades will follow over the next several months.
As those components are installed, the larger story will be how well the finished machine balances competing priorities. Rock crawling favors traction and clearance, overland travel adds weight and cargo demands, and desert use places greater emphasis on stability, durability and sustained performance.
For now, the 33-inch RC500 tires and wide SB-9 beadlock wheels give the Defender MAX Limited a stronger all-terrain foundation while preserving the factory cab, passenger capacity and utility equipment that made it an appealing starting point.
UTVGuide.net will update the Project All-Terrain Defender HD11 build series as System 3 Offroad announces and installs additional components.
