Can-Am Confirms Electric Motorcycles for 2024

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A few teased models from the Can-Am EV motorcycle lineup, which includes a potential ADV-styled bike. (Can-Am/)

We reported Wednesday about new patents filed by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) that revealed multiple Can-Am electric motorcycles designs. But the BRP crew had not yet officially announced plans to bring EV motorcycles to the market. That changed Friday when the Canadian company confirmed in a press release—one with little detail—that it will launch a “family of electric two-wheel motorcycles.”

Besides the patents, the only other forecasting info was the intention of the machines, which will be “perfect for everyday commuting and, to stay true to the track and trail heritage of the brand, recreational on- and off-road riding.” So as the patents confirmed, expect to see a mix of dirt and road offerings.

The first models in the EV lineup, launched to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of BRP, are slated to hit showrooms in mid-2024.

“With the motorcycle industry shifting to electric, we saw an opportunity to reclaim our motorcycle heritage and to reenter the market,” said José Boisjoli, president and CEO of BRP. “This new product category is extremely important to us, and we are thrilled that Can-Am motorcycles are the first EV models in BRP’s electric lineup to be confirmed to consumers.

“Many of us have very fond memories of riding the early dirt bike models, and now we look forward to building on the rich history of the Can-Am brand to inspire and impress a new generation of motorcyclists and electric vehicle enthusiasts.”

An electric focus is nothing new for BRP. The company bought what remained of the Alta Motors, creator of the promising Redshift EXR electric dirt bike, when the California brand went bust in 2018, providing BRP with access to EV motorcycle technology.

BRP also unveiled many electric prototypes, including an EV Can-Am Ryker, the company’s three-wheeler, along with the CT1 scooter and CT2 motorcycle. But those concepts are much different from what the recent patents reveal, which show five electric motorcycle styles: off-road, roadster, cruiser, retro model, and supersport.

It also appears that BRP is looking to ease manufacturing woes by using a centralized frame for all five models.

Here are some patent designs showing the rider’s triangle of five bikes expected in Can-Am’s electric motorcycle lineup. (Can-Am/)

BRP is no stranger to motorcycles. Can-Am was initially its motorcycle division, which operated from 1971 through 1987. The dirt-focused lineups used engines developed by another BRP subsidiary, the Austrian-based Rotax, which also supplied engines for BMW, KTM, Aprilia, and Buell.

Can-Am’s dirt bikes were a powerful force in racing, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals at the International Six Days Trial (now International Six Days Enduro). In 1974, Can-Am became the first brand to sweep the AMA 250 Motocross National Championship with riders Gary Jones, Marty Tripes, and Jimmy Ellis at the controls of Can-Am MX 250s.

The Can-Am division dissolved in 1987 due to major budget cuts as BRP focused on other subsidiaries within the transportation and aviation sectors.

Now Can-Am has returned to the motorcycle scene, but with EV bikes that will put up some much-needed competition to others. Obviously, in its EV crosshairs is Harley-Davidson’s sub-brand LiveWire, which has partnered with Kymco for the upcoming less-expensive Del Mar model expected to hit showrooms in Q2.

Want to dig deeper into BRP’s patent EV designs? Read “Is This Can-Am’s New Electric Motorcycle?”

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