Can-Am Motorcycles

About can-am

Can-Am is a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian corporation.

In 1973, under the direction and leadership of an American Engineer named Gary Robinson and former motocross World Champion, Jeff Smith working with a team of California desert racers, Can-Am began producing motocross and enduro bikes using engines provided by the Austrian Rotax company, another Bombardier subsidiary.

The machines made an immediate impact with riders winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the International Six Days Trial, a form of off-road motorcycle Olympics. The following year, the company swept the 1974 AMA 250 cc motocross national championship with Can-Am riders Gary Jones, Marty Tripes and Jimmy Ellis, finishing first, second and third.

The Rotax motors used a slightly unusual style of intake. A rotary disc system was employed and this plate was altered repeatedly between T'n'T (track and trail) and MX models. This plate is accredited with the horsepower gain over conventional piston port motors used on Japanese motorcycles. The MX3, produced in 1977, was the pinnacle of Can Am. Its 36 horsepower (27 kW) was 6 more than the closest competitor.

However, soon Bombardier changed its priorities, so at first investment in Can-Am was reduced, later motorcycle production was outsourced to Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles (England). 1987 was the final year Can-Am motorcycles were produced.

Though in 2006, Bombardier Recreational Products reintroduced the Can-Am brand with its all-terrain vehicles (ATV). In 2007, the Can-Am brand was also used to introduce the Can-Am Spyder a new three-wheeled roadster.

Moto blog

Wesll Quad Prototype

A number of manufacturers have tinkered with various three-wheeled motorcycle applications over the years. Companies like Piaggio, Can-Am, Brudeli and even Harley-Davidson have produced unique trikes with ranging levels of success. The Wesll Corporation is attempting to do one better, literally, as it develops a four-wheeled mechanism that could be applied to many different kinds of bikes.

Santa on a Can-Am Spyder

Everyone knows that the market for three and four wheeled motorcycles is fueled by aging motorcycle enthusiasts not wanting to let go of that feeling of being in the wind. Similarly, some voyagers in their aging years are opting to travel on the ground instead of taking to the skies. Santa is no different.

Win a 2009 Can-Am Spyder!

BRP has a new contest ongoing (you may have seen the ads running on Motorcycle.com) to win a new 2009 Can-Am Spyder valued at $16,199. The contest is pretty simple and you are only required to answer four questions, and provide your personal information. The contest is only open to US residents.

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