It has been a little more than two years since BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products – Can-Am’s parent company) first teased its return to two wheels for the Can-Am motorcycle brand. Today, the company has made good on its promises and revealed two new electric motorcycles; the Can-Am Origin and Pulse. The Origin is the company’s take on a dual-sport/adventure bike, while the Pulse aims more for the urban crowd and commuting duties. And if the standard versions aren’t enough for you, Can-Am also offers spiffed up versions of both called the Origin 73 and Pulse 73.
BRP’s press release claims that the bikes marks the company’s intent to become a global leader in electric motorcycles:
“Today, we are reclaiming our two-wheel heritage by bringing new excitement to the electric motorcycle industry,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “50 years ago, Can-Am celebrated many victories with its Track ’n Trail motorcycles, and we are bringing that pedigree back with a focus on modern electric power, connectivity and thrill. We intend to become a global leader in that space with true innovation designed to simplify the riding experience for new riders and introduce electric motorcycles to all.”
Powertrain
With modularity being the buzzword of motorcycle production nowadays, the two bikes share several components. The first and foremost is the machine’s proprietary Rotax E-Power powertrain which combines the bike’s battery, charger, inverter, and motor. The setup uses liquid cooling which according to Can-Am, helps the machine offer “…a more efficient cooling process, optimizing charging speed and performance in almost any conditions compared to an air cooled system.”
Both bikes are powered by Can-Am’s proprietary Rotax E-Power powertrain. Photo: Can-Am
Powering the motor is an integrated 8.9 kWh lithium ion battery. That same battery offers differing claimed ranges depending on the model. The Origin has a claimed range of 90 miles in the city and 71 miles of combined city/highway range. The Pulse offers a bit more, with ranges of 100 and 80 miles respectively.
With shared motors, both motorcycle’s motors offer a 47 hp (35kW). While that may seem a bit on the smallish side to comparable electric motorcycles, they still provide claimed 0 – 60 mph times of 3.8 seconds for the Pulse and 4.3 seconds for the dual sporting Origin. Top speed for both machines is 80 mph making the bikes suitable for short highway jaunts.
That’s a sealed single sided swingarm that bathes the chain in oil. Photo: Can-Am
Getting that power to the ground is a sealed chain case that also serves as the bike’s single sided swingarm. Inside, its chain is kept happy through the use of oil lubrication and an automatic chain tensioner. Can-Am says that the chain case produces less noise and less maintenance than standard chain driven motorcycles.
Charging
Both models are equipped with an on-board 6.6 kW charger which is Level 1 and Level 2 compatible. With the powertrain’s liquid cooling, charging speeds can be maintained throughout the charging cycle without fear of generating excessive heat. Connected to a Level 2 charger, Can-AM claims that the bike can be charged from 20 – 80 percent in 50 minutes. If you charge from 0 – 100 percent, that time increases to 1 hour and 30 minutes. When charging with a Level 1 charger, you can expect a 0 – 80 percent charging time of 3 hours and 10 minutes. If you want to charge from 0 – 100, expect the clock to show 5 hours and 15 minutes have passed.
Origin versus Pulse – Key Differences
Suspension
As a claimed dual-sport model, the Origin gets a different suspension than the Pulse. It comes equipped with a 43 mm KYB inverted fork offering 10 inches (255 mm) of travel. At the back, the machine uses a KYB HPG shock which is adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. The result of the two “suspenders” is a claimed ground clearance of 10.8 inches (274 mm) and a seat height of 34 inches (865 mm).
The Can-Am Origin’s longer travel suspension is quite evident.
The Pulse uses a 41 mm KYB inverted fork offering only 5.5 inches (140 mm) of travel. The rear uses a Sachs twin-tube coil over shock adjustable for preload only. It also offers 5.5 inches of travel. But this is a bike designed for urban and commuting duties, the the reduced travel shouldn’t be that much of an issue.
The city/commuter Pulse. Photo: Can-Am
Wheelset And Tires
The Origin’s wheelset is very different than the Pulse’s. At the front, a spoked 21 inch wheel should help while riding off-road. As is often the case in dual-sport/ADV bikes, the rear wheel is also spoked and an 18 inch unit. Both wheels are shod with Dunlop D605 dual sport rubber and use tubes.
Meanwhile, the Pulse’s hoops are both 17 inch units. They are shod with stickier Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 rubber and forego the use of tubes.
Weight
The Origin also tips the scales slightly more than the Pulse. The standard version Origin weighs in at a claimed 412 pounds (187 kg). The Pulse weighs in at a slightly more wispy 390 pounds (177 kg). Can-Am didn’t specify precisely what is driving the Origin’s higher weight.
Can-Am Similarities
We’ve already discussed the Origin’s and Pulse’s identical powertrains. But there are a number of other areas where the two bikes share components or the lack of components. As electric motorcycles, both models do not have a clutch lever, it’s pretty much a twist and go affair. Also, they both offer a reverse function, which could be nice on the trail or in cramped parking quarters.
Both bikes feature a touchscreen display. Photo: Can-Am
Braking is accomplished using J Juan components including a 2-piston caliper with a 320 mm disc at the front, and a single piston caliper with a 240 mm disc at the rear. Speaking of braking, both bikes feature standard switchable ABS and MTC (motorcycle traction control).
There’s no shortage electronic wizardry either, with both machines offering ride modes. As a dual sport machine, the Origin gets Normal, ECO, Rain, Sport, and Off-Road modes. As the city dweller, the Pulse gets Normal, ECO, Rain, and Sport+ modes. To provide more range, both machines have an Active Regen system that Can-Am says provides enhanced control and smooth deceleration while sending more power back to the battery.
Both bikes offer a 10.25 inch touchscreen display with BRP Connect and Apple CarPlay as standard. There’s also a backlit handlebar control module.
Both bike’s also feature Can-Am’s LinQ Nano mounting points which allow tool less attachment of various accessories including windscreens and luggage. Both bikes come standard as single seaters, but a passenger seat is available as an option.
Pricing and Availability
The standard Can-Am Origin features “Bright White” paint at an MSRP of $14,499. For $500 more, you can get a Carbon Black paint scheme. If you want to upgrade to the Sterling Silver Painted Origin 73 with its adjustable windshield, LED position lamps and a bike cover, you’ll be asked for $16,499.
The Can-Am Pulse versions are slightly cheaper with the Bright White bike coming in at $13,999 with the Carbon Black version $500 more. If the Pulse 73 in its Sterling Silver finish with Acid Yellow stripes on the wheels, flyscreen, LED position lamps, and a bike cover are your thing, you’ll need to hand over $15,999.
Both machines are available to pre-order now and will begin production in Q4 2024 with worldwide deliveries starting in early 2025.
