Two heavyweight 8–ply radials. Two very different builds. Side-by-side spec table, per-vehicle fitment, and a buy-this-if-that decision matrix — sourced directly from the manufacturer spec sheets.
Two great tires, two very different builds. Here’s the one–sentence call by use case.
Reinforced sidewall with BFG’s Advanced Deflection Design + Linear Flex Zone for aired–down compliance. Built for sharp rocks, hardpack, and Colorado/Utah-style terrain. Higher per-tire load rating too.
Shop the KM3Lighter overall (3–10 lbs less per tire size–for–size), deeper 23/32″ tread, and available in 17″ sizes for lifted sport builds. The pick for trail–tuned RZRs and Mavericks where rotational mass matters.
Shop the CarnivoreCarnivore ships from UTVSource at $197.87 (current sale, 34% below MSRP) and is in stock. The BFG KM3 is currently on preorder for the 2026–07–15 restock at $203.99 — if you need tires this week, the Carnivore is the call.
Shop the CarnivoreBoth are 8–ply radials. Both are NHS–rated. Both are stocked at UTV Source. Everything else — tread depth, weight, sizing, sidewall design, warranty — is where the daylight opens up.
Aggressive all–terrain hybrid tread on a 8–ply radial carcass. Ten available sizes across 14″, 15″, and 17″ rim diameters — up to 37″ tall. Deeper 23/32″ tread (22/32″ on 17″) gives more wear runway. Lighter per–tire weight makes it the pick for sport builds that care about rotational mass.
Shop Maxxis Carnivore
Dedicated mud–terrain tread engineered for rock and hardpack with Linear Flex Zone, Mud–Phobic Bars, and Advanced Deflection Design sidewall. Twelve sizes across 14″ and 15″ rim diameters (no 17″ option) — up to 35″ tall, 52.3 lbs at the biggest size. Higher per–tire load capacity and a 6–year limited warranty.
Shop BFG KM3Every value below comes straight from each manufacturer’s published spec sheet. The green check marks the dimension winner; a tie means neither tire holds a meaningful edge on that spec.
| Specification | Maxxis Carnivore | BFGoodrich KM3 |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 8–ply radial | 8–ply radial |
| Tread Depth | 23/32″ (14″/15″), 22/32″ (17″) | 18/32″ all sizes |
| Available Rim Sizes | 14″, 15″, 17″ | 14″, 15″ only |
| Total Sizes Offered | 10 sizes | 12 sizes |
| Largest Available | 37x10R17 (37.2″ OD) | 35x11R15 (35.0″ OD) |
| Tread Pattern | Aggressive all–terrain hybrid | Dedicated mud–terrain Terrain–Attack design |
| Mud–Shedding Feature | Open void layout | Purpose–built Mud–Phobic Bars |
| Aired–Down Compliance | Standard sidewall flex | Linear Flex Zone (engineered for rock crawling) |
| Sidewall Design | Reinforced for UTV use | Advanced Deflection Design (snag/split resistant) |
| Tire Weight (size–for–size) | ~33–40 lbs depending on size | 33–52 lbs depending on size (heavier most sizes) |
| Max Inflation Pressure | 18 PSI | 42–46 PSI |
| Max Single–Tire Load (32x10R14) | Not separately published | 2,002 lbs @ 44 PSI |
| Service Rating | NHS (Not for Highway Service) | NHS (Not for Highway Service) |
| Warranty | Manufacturer limited | 6 years or life of original tread, whichever first |
| UTV Source Price | $197.87 (sale list $254) | $203.99 (MSRP $399.99) |
| Availability | In stock | Preorder — restock 2026–07–15 |
Spec values verified from each manufacturer’s published spec sheet (Maxxis Carnivore product page, BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 UTV product page, and the size tables on the manufacturer’s product literature). Weights are from the BFGoodrich published size table; Maxxis publishes shipping weights only, so the Carnivore range is sourced from BFGoodrich’s comparable–size data and ATV.com’s independent tire–weight database.
Six dimensions matter most for picking between these two. Here’s how each plays out in real–world riding.
The Carnivore runs 23/32″ of tread on every 14″ and 15″ size (22/32″ on the two 17″ sizes). The BFG KM3 runs 18/32″ across every size. That’s a 28% advantage in raw tread material for the Carnivore — meaningful for trail–tuned riders who churn miles in soft terrain.
That said, BFG’s engineering thesis is the inverse: shallower tread + a harder rock–biased compound = less wear under the conditions that punish tires hardest (rocks, hardpack, dry dust). Owner reports on KRX Forum and RZR Forums consistently show 8,000–15,000+ miles on KM3s in western terrain, while east–coast clay–mud riders sometimes report faster wear on the same tire.
Edge: Maxxis Carnivore for raw tread material; tie on real–world longevity (depends entirely on terrain)BFG publishes exact tire weights per size: 33.4 lbs (27x9R14) up to 52.3 lbs (35x11R15). Comparable–size Carnivores run about 3–10 lbs lighter each. On a four–corner setup, that’s 12–40 lbs of unsprung rotational mass. Riders feel that immediately in acceleration response, deceleration distance, and CVT belt temperature on long climbs.
For high–horsepower turbo sport builds where every ounce of rotational mass costs measurable acceleration (RZR Pro R, Pro XP, Turbo R, Maverick X3, Maverick R), the Carnivore is the better answer. For utility–biased machines where load carrying matters more than acceleration (Ranger XP 1000, Defender HD10, Pioneer 1000), the weight of the KM3 actually benefits the application by adding mass to the contact patch under load.
Edge: Maxxis Carnivore for sport builds; BFG KM3 for utility loadsThe KM3 was engineered around the Mud–Phobic Bars feature: raised rubber ridges between the tread blocks that mechanically pop compacted mud out of the void. The result is a tire that keeps biting in wet, packing soils where Carnivore’s more–open void layout can spin under load.
The caveat is east–coast clay. Owner threads (RZR Forums, Maverick Forums) show the KM3 can pack and spin in heavy, slick clay–mud where neither tire excels. For pure mud terrain, dedicated paddle–mud tires (think ITP Mud Lite or Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 in deeper sizes) usually beat both of these.
For snow and slush, the deeper Carnivore tread void traps more snow for the snow–on–snow grip mechanism that aggressive UTV tires rely on. Owner reports favor the Carnivore here as well, though the gap is smaller than on bare hardpack.
Edge: BFG KM3 for mixed/sand mud; Maxxis Carnivore for snow and slushThis is where BFG’s engineering shows its racing roots. The KM3 sidewall combines two published technologies: a Linear Flex Zone (compliant rubber that envelops sharp rocks aired–down without splitting) and Advanced Deflection Design (a curved sidewall geometry that deflects branch and rock snags rather than catching them). Owners running western rock country consistently rate the KM3 as best–in–class for puncture resistance.
The Carnivore has a reinforced sidewall but Maxxis doesn’t publish equivalent features. Owner reports on KRX Forum show puncture incidents on Carnivores in sharp–rock terrain that don’t reproduce on KM3s in the same conditions.
Edge: BFG KM3, decisivelyThe BFG KM3 is rated for up to 42–46 PSI across sizes — a substantial pressure range. The Carnivore caps at 18 PSI. That’s a meaningful difference for two scenarios: long highway transfers (where higher pressure rolls more efficiently and runs cooler) and loaded utility work (where higher pressure prevents sidewall flex under cargo).
The KM3 also publishes per–tire load ratings up to 2,002 lbs @ 44 PSI on the 32x10R14, which is well above the maximum corner load of most modern sport UTVs and approaches the load demands of full–cab utility machines hauling cargo and passengers.
Edge: BFG KM3, especially for utility and cargo buildsThe Carnivore covers 14″, 15″, and 17″ rim diameters with 10 size combinations — including the 35x10R17 and 37x10R17, which are the answer for lifted sport builds running 17″ beadlocks. The BFG KM3 stops at 15″ rims (12 sizes total), with the 35x11R15 as the largest available.
Riders building on 18″ wheels — most notably the Can-Am Maverick R, which ships with 32″ tires on 18″ beadlocks — will find neither tire fits the stock wheel; both require a downsize to 15″ or 17″ wheels. That’s a fitment limitation worth flagging up front.
Edge: Maxxis Carnivore for 17″ rim builds and 36″–37″ tall sport setupsFor each major UTV platform UTV Source supports, here’s the stock wheel diameter, the practical fit status for each tire, and where to shop the right size.
| Vehicle | Stock Wheel | Maxxis Carnivore | BFG KM3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris RZR Pro R | 15″ (32″ tires) | Fits — 32x10R15, 33x10R15, 35x10R15 | Fits — 32x10R15, 35x11R15 | Pro R’s 5x114.3 bolt pattern is Polaris’s outlier — verify wheel pattern before mounting. |
| Polaris RZR Pro XP | 14″ (30″ tires) | Fits — 28–32″ 14″ sizes | Fits — 28–32″ 14″ sizes | 4x156 bolt pattern. Either tire is a clean swap to stock 14″ wheels. |
| Polaris RZR Turbo R | 15″ (32″ tires) | Fits — 32x10R15 stock or 35x10R15 with lift | Fits — 32x10R15 stock or 35x11R15 with lift | 4x156 bolt pattern (NOT the 5x114.3 Pro R outlier). Either fits stock or lifted setups. |
| Polaris RZR XP 1000 | 14″ (29″ tires) | Fits — widest size catalog for stock 14″ setups | Fits — 9 sizes in 14″ | One of the most fitment–flexible platforms either tire serves. |
| Can-Am Maverick X3 | 14″ or 15″ (30–32″ tires) | Fits — 30x10R14, 32x10R14, 32x10R15 | Fits — 30x10R14, 32x10R14, 32x10R15 | 4x137 bolt pattern. Both tires are catalog mainstays for X3 builds. |
| Can-Am Maverick R | 18″ (32″ tires) | Limited — requires 15″ or 17″ wheel downsize | Limited — requires 15″ wheel downsize | Maverick R’s 6x139.7 bolt pattern is BRP’s industry–first — neither tire ships in 18″ sizes. Plan for a wheel swap. |
| Polaris Ranger XP 1000 | 14″ (27–29″ tires) | Fits — 28x10R14, 30x10R14 | Fits — 27–30″ 14″ sizes (deep catalog) | Utility platform — KM3’s higher load rating is a real benefit for cargo work. |
| Can-Am Defender | 14″ (27–28″ tires) | Fits — 28x10R14, 30x10R14 | Fits — 27–30″ 14″ sizes | Utility platform — same KM3 load–rating advantage as the Ranger. |
| Honda Talon 1000 | 15″ (30″ tires) | Fits — 30x10R15, 31x10R15, 32x10R15 | Fits — 30x10R15, 32x10R15 | 4x137 bolt pattern. Either tire is a clean fit to stock 15″ wheels. |
| Yamaha YXZ1000R | 14″ (29″ tires) | Fits — 29x9.5R15 (with 15″ swap) or 28–30″ 14″ sizes | Fits — 28–30″ 14″ sizes | 4x110 bolt pattern. Owner builds often swap to 15″ wheels for the bigger size selection. |
| Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 | 15″ (31″ tires) | Fits — 31x10R15, 32x10R15, 33x10R15 | Fits — 32x10R15, 35x11R15 | Owner reports show meaningfully different durability outcomes between these two on this platform — see Feature Breakdown for context. |
The verdict for each tire, distilled. Not generic pros and cons — the specific traits that came out of the spec table and feature breakdown.
Two great tires built for different missions. Here’s the buyer self–identifier matrix — pick the column that matches your build and your terrain.
The questions we hear most often from buyers stuck between these two.
Neither is universally better — they target different missions. The BFG KM3 wins for rocks, hardpack, and dry mountain west terrain on the strength of its Linear Flex Zone sidewall and higher load rating. The Maxxis Carnivore wins for sport trail builds that care about rotational mass, lifted big–rim builds (17″ sizes), and any rider who needs tires in stock today rather than on the 2026–07–15 preorder window. Use the decision matrix above to match the tire to your build.
No. The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 UTV is NHS–rated (Not for Highway Service) per the Tire and Rim Association — the same classification as the Maxxis Carnivore. NHS tires are designed for off–road use and are suitable for temporary or incidental on–road travel, but they are not stamped with the official DOT marking that some states require for full highway use.
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 sold in passenger and light–truck sizes (LT235/85R16, etc.) is DOT–stamped, but those sizes don’t fit UTV rims. Anyone telling you the UTV KM3 is DOT–approved is confusing the UTV version with the passenger version.
BFG publishes per–size weights ranging from 33.4 lbs (27x9R14) up to 52.3 lbs (35x11R15). Comparable Carnivore sizes run roughly 3–10 lbs lighter each, according to ATV.com’s independent tire–weight database and owner–reported scale checks on RZR Forums and Maverick Forums.
On a four–corner setup, that’s 12–40 lbs of additional unsprung rotational mass with the KM3. Whether that matters depends on the build: sport machines with high–output engines feel it immediately in acceleration and CVT belt temperature, while utility machines benefit from the extra mass on the contact patch under load.
Tread life is terrain–dependent and there’s no honest single answer. The Carnivore has 28% more tread material to wear through (23/32″ vs 18/32″), so in soft trail and sand it tends to outlast the KM3. In rocks and hardpack, the KM3’s harder compound and reinforced sidewall reverse the equation — owner reports on KRX Forum and RZR Forums consistently show KM3 sets reaching 8,000–15,000+ miles in western terrain.
The KM3 also carries a 6–year or life–of–tread limited warranty — the Carnivore’s warranty is the Maxxis standard limited manufacturer warranty, which is shorter and narrower in scope.
Not on the stock wheels. The Maverick R ships with 32″ tires on 18″ beadlock wheels — BRP’s industry–first 18″ UTV wheel package. Neither the BFG KM3 nor the Maxxis Carnivore are produced in 18″ sizes; the KM3 caps at 15″ rims and the Carnivore caps at 17″.
To run either tire on the Maverick R, you need a 15″ or 17″ wheel swap. The Maverick R’s 6x139.7 bolt pattern is another BRP industry–first — no cross–fitment from older Mavericks — so the wheel swap requires Maverick R–specific 15″ or 17″ beadlocks. Plan the budget for both.
The stock Pro R ships with 32″ tires on 15″ wheels, so the 32x10R15 KM3 (43.4 lbs per tire) is a direct stock–diameter replacement. The 35x11R15 KM3 is the larger option for Pro R builds running a 3″ bracket lift or factory–clearance trims for taller tires.
Important fitment note: the Pro R uses Polaris’s 5x114.3 bolt pattern (the outlier in the Polaris lineup, shared only with the Pro S and Xpedition). The Pro XP and Turbo R use the more common 4x156 pattern. Verify your bolt pattern before ordering wheels.
BFGoodrich’s suggested retail price on the KM3 UTV is $399.99 per tire. UTV Source’s current price is $203.99 — a function of volume purchasing, BFGoodrich’s authorized–reseller pricing tier, and direct distribution. The price you see is the price you pay; there’s no MAP rebate or promotional gate.
Yes. The Ranger XP 1000 ships on 14″ wheels with 27–29″ stock tires. The Carnivore in 28x10R14 or 30x10R14 is a clean swap, and the KM3 has nine 14″ sizes to choose from in that range. For a utility–biased machine like the Ranger, the KM3’s higher per–tire load rating (up to ~1,557 lbs on the 28x10R14) is the more relevant differentiator.
The BFG KM3 has a marginal edge on smooth pavement due to its denser block layout and harder rock–biased compound — less aggressive tread squirm at higher inflation pressures. The Carnivore’s deeper and more aggressive void pattern is slightly louder on pavement transfers. Neither tire is built for sustained highway use; both are NHS–classified, and prolonged on–road travel accelerates tread wear on both.
The KM3 replaced the KM2 in BFGoodrich’s mud–terrain lineup with three engineered upgrades: the Linear Flex Zone (aired–down compliance), the Mud–Phobic Bars (active mud release), and the Advanced Deflection Design sidewall. The KM2 lacks all three. The Krawler KX is BFGoodrich’s competition–only rock crawler — not a UTV street/trail tire and not directly comparable. For UTV use, the KM3 is the current–generation pick within the BFGoodrich lineup.
Land one click from the right tire size for your machine. Each tile drops you on the BFG KM3 + Maxxis Carnivore inventory pre–filtered to your platform’s confirmed sizes.