Can-Am, a subsidiary of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), marked a significant milestone this week as its first electric motorcycle rolled off the production line.
The long-anticipated event took place at the company’s assembly plant in Querétaro, Mexico, signaling a new chapter for the brand as it leverages its storied powersports legacy to launch a new line of modern electric commuter motorcycles.
The first Origin model off the line, part of Can-Am’s new electric lineup, represents the company’s first foray into the rapidly growing electric motorcycle market. Designed to appeal to urban commuters and environmentally conscious trail riders, the Pulse and Origin bikes feature a sleek design, sporty performance, and a promise of zero-emissions, low-maintenance riding that the company hopes draws in new riders as well as seasoned veterans.
“Today, we are celebrating the first Can-Am electric motorcycles coming off the assembly line,” remarked Can-Am CMO Josee Perreault. “With this milestone, Can-Am is bringing new energy to the global electric motorcycle market. Built on 80+ years of powersports ingenuity, these all-new, all-electric bikes are proof once again that innovation is at the core of what we do. Today marks the day we reclaim our two-wheel heritage. Can-Am motorcycles are officially here!”
The first two models in Can-Am’s electric lineup were originally unveiled back in 2022, ahead of their official launch earlier this year.
The Can-Am Pulse is designed as a naked street bike, while the Origin is the more dual-sport version, despite both sharing the same Rotex powertrain.
The bikes will roll out next year with 8.9 kWh battery packs, putting them on the lower end of battery capacities these days for full-size electric motorcycles. Those battery packs offer an estimated city range of 100 miles (160 km) or 90 miles (145 km) for the Pulse and Origin, respectively. The batteries fall just below the capacity of models offered by LiveWire, such as the Del Mar and Mulholland, but above Zero Motorcycles’ entry-level electric rides.
The good news is that smaller batteries charge faster, with the company claiming a 20-80% charge time of just 50 minutes when using a Level 2 charger. For city jaunts, 90-100 miles is likely plenty for most riders. Just don’t expect to be cruising the highways for too long with a modest battery pack like this. For the Origin, trail riding may require careful selection to ensure charging facilities are available nearby, though more off-road trails are beginning to install charging networks, even if the pace has been slow.
The bikes also share a 47 hp (35 kW) electric motor. With a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) of 3.8s and 4.3s for the street-ready Can-Am Pulse and dual sport Can-Am Origin, respectively, it sounds like both models take advantage of every single watt available to them. And with an enclosed chaincase powering that rear wheel, the bike is supposedly quieter than most other chain-driving electric motorcycles.
The Pulse is priced at US $13,999, unless you want the Pulse ’73 model with a few extra colorway and body accoutrements, plus fancy LED lights, for a grand total of US $15,999. It costs just a bit more to hit the dirt with the Origin starting at US $14,499 for the standard version or $16,499 for the Origin ’73 edition.
Those prices fall far north of smaller commuter motorcycles available from US-based companies like Ryvid, but undercut the flagship electric motorcycles offered by companies like LiveWire and Zero.
But Can-Am is hoping on more than just pricing to win over riders, relyign on the bikes’ supposed unique riding experience. “We’ve put years of product design, development, and engineering into them to optimize the riding and ownership experience,” explained Can-Am’s Chief Design Officer Denys Lapointe. “They’re contemporary, technologically advanced, and they’re designed to be simple and fun to ride regardless of your experience. Once behind the handlebars, riders will see that we built these from the ground up with them in mind, from the nimble handling, to the comfort and ergonomy that makes them feel at one with the bikes. Here’s to awakening the energy within every rider!”
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