Can-Am motorcycles: Difference between revisions
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
=== Early history === |
=== Early history === |
||
Can-Am was spun off from BRP in 1972. The barn that housed the original Can-Am headquarters still exists at the Bombardier test facility within the Circuit Yvon Duhamel and is located a few miles south of [[Valcourt (town)|Valcourt]], [[Quebec]]. The right side of the barn housed the offices for design and engineering, and the left side was used for fabrication.<ref name=":1" /> |
Can-Am was spun off from BRP in 1972. The barn that housed the original Can-Am headquarters still exists at the Bombardier test facility within the Circuit [[Yvon Duhamel]] and is located a few miles south of [[Valcourt (town)|Valcourt]], [[Quebec]]. The right side of the barn housed the offices for design and engineering, and the left side was used for fabrication.<ref name=":1" /> |
||
Based on the [[Bultaco]] design principle of a standard-size frame that could accommodate a range of differently sized engines, engineers Gary Robison, Bob Fisher, and Camille Picard, and seasoned motorcycle racer [[Jeff Smith (motorcyclist)|Jeff Smith]] designed a competition motorcycle from scratch. Their design featured steering head bearing cups that allowed for the adjustment of the steering head angle; these were mainly driven by simplified production on the assembly line.<ref name=":1" /> |
Based on the [[Bultaco]] design principle of a standard-size frame that could accommodate a range of differently sized engines, engineers Gary Robison, Bob Fisher, and Camille Picard, and seasoned motorcycle racer [[Jeff Smith (motorcyclist)|Jeff Smith]] designed a competition motorcycle from scratch. Their design featured steering head bearing cups that allowed for the adjustment of the steering head angle; these were mainly driven by simplified production on the assembly line.<ref name=":1" /> |
Revision as of 18:32, 27 March 2023
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2008) |
Headquarters | , Canada |
---|---|
Products | Motorcycles, ATVs, motorized tricycles |
Parent | Bombardier Recreational Products |
Can-Am is a subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), known mainly for its Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle.
The company initially made motocross and enduro motorcycles, which were very competitive,[1][2] before beginning to manufacture and sell all-terrain vehicles as well. Can-Am’s name was the result of a Bombardier employee competition based on the anticipated Canadian vs. American market, though the existence of the Can-Am racing series necessitated the purchase of rights to the name.[2]
History
Early history
Can-Am was spun off from BRP in 1972. The barn that housed the original Can-Am headquarters still exists at the Bombardier test facility within the Circuit Yvon Duhamel and is located a few miles south of Valcourt, Quebec. The right side of the barn housed the offices for design and engineering, and the left side was used for fabrication.[2]
Based on the Bultaco design principle of a standard-size frame that could accommodate a range of differently sized engines, engineers Gary Robison, Bob Fisher, and Camille Picard, and seasoned motorcycle racer Jeff Smith designed a competition motorcycle from scratch. Their design featured steering head bearing cups that allowed for the adjustment of the steering head angle; these were mainly driven by simplified production on the assembly line.[2]
The machines made an immediate impact, with riders winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the International Six Days Trial. The International Six Days Trial, now known as the International Six Days Enduro, is a form of off-road motorcycle Olympics which is the oldest annual competition sanctioned by the FIM dating back to 1913.[3]
In 1974, Can-Am was the first brand to sweep the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) 250cc motocross national championship with Can-Am riders Gary Jones, Marty Tripes and Jimmy Ellis, finishing first, second and third in the championship although, Tripes had raced for most of the season on a Husqvarna motorcycle before being hired by Can-Am for the last race of the season.[4][5][6]
Can-Am enduro rider Skip Olson finished second to Dick Burleson in the 1976 AMA Enduro national championship.[7] Can-Am's motorcycle racing success enhanced the brand’s image and they gained a reputation for their high horsepower outputs.[8] In 1983, Can-Am released a 250 cc road racing bike. Using two 125 cc Rotax motors with a conjoined crankshaft, the bike featured a bespoke frame with an aluminum swingarm.[2]
However, soon after the Can-Am introduction, Bombardier shifted its priority from recreational products towards the transit equipment industry and then, several years later, into aircraft manufacturing. As a result, investments in the young Can-Am division were reduced substantially. In 1983, Bombardier licensed the brand and outsourced development and production of the Can-Am motorcycles to Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles of Lancashire, England.
1987 was the final year of Can-Am motorcycle production, and the brand entered a 19-year hiatus. In the late 1990s, BRP sold ATVs with "TTI" torsional trailing-arm rear suspension, utilizing two independent pivot points for increased comfort on rugged terrain.[1]
In 1997, BRP began the production of ATV vehicles for the first time. In 1998, the company entered the all-terrain vehicle market by introducing a prototype of the Traxter, a utility based ATV. In 1999, the Traxter was named "ATV of the Year" by ATV Magazine.[9] Later that year, BRP also began working on their second ATV, the performance-oriented DS650 that was designed for experienced sports enthusiasts. In 2004, this model won the Dakar Rally in the quad class.[10]
BRP added an additional variation of the Traxter all-terrain vehicle in 2000 which was called the Traxter XL. The Traxter XL was the first ATV to feature a dumping box bed. In 2002, BRP introduced the Traxter MAX, which featured two seats. It was the first and only ATV with the manufacturer’s approval to accommodate two riders.
Rebranding and Spyder
In 2006, it was announced that Bombardier ATV would become Can-Am ATV. Starting in 2007, BRP launched its all-terrain vehicle lineup and rebranded its ATV segment to Can-Am.
Just one year after announcing the rebranding, BRP inaugurated a new plant in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The new plant would oversee manufacturing and assembly of the Outlander and Renegade ATV models, including the Rotax engines that power them.
In 2007, Can-Am introduced its first on-road vehicle with The Spyder. With its unique Y-shaped layout, it was described as part motorcycle and part roadster; the latter is how the company refers to it. The Guinness World Record for the “Largest Parade of Can-Am Spyder Roadsters” was established in 2010 when 438 Can-Am Spyders paraded around Magog, Quebec.[11]
2010 saw Can-Am's first side-by-side vehicle, the Commander. Shortly after its introduction, the Commander 1000 received the "Best of the Best" Award in the Side-by-Side vehicle category by Field & Stream magazine.
In 2013, Can-Am announced another side-by-side vehicle, the Maverick. The Maverick 1000R model was a performance-oriented side-by-side, competing against the Polaris RZR XP 1000 and the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 H.O. The Maverick featured the highest horsepower from a manufacturer at the time, making 101 hp (75 kW) from its 976 cc Rotax V-twin engine. The following year, Can-Am introduced the Maverick X ds Turbo, the first side-by-side to be equipped with a turbocharger from the factory. Its 121 hp (90 kW) Rotax 1000R turbocharged engine made it the highest horsepower side-by-side on the market, superseding the previous Maverick.
In 2016, Can-Am introduced the Defender in North America, its first utility side-by-side vehicle created specifically for farmers and hunters.
In 2018, the Can-Am Ryker was launched as a simpler, more easygoing counterpart to the Spyder.
Models
This section needs expansion with: Motorcycle models. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023) |
Tricycles
Spyder
Having debuted in 2007, the Spyder motorized tricycle sold 2,500 units within seven months of the Spyder’s initial release date. By May 2009, Can-Am had already manufactured 12,500. In 2015, during the annual “Spyderfest” gathering in Springfield, Missouri, Can-Am delivered its 100,000th Can-Am Spyder.[12]
Initially, the Spyder was powered by a liquid-cooled 900cc Rotax V-twin specifically modified for the vehicle to develop more low-end torque while meeting emissions standards. This engine developed 106 hp (79 kW) at 8,500 rpm and 77 lb⋅ft (104 N⋅m) of torque at 6,500 rpm. It has since been superseded by a 1330 cc Rotax engine.
The Spyder uses electronically-controlled power steering and high-performance Brembo brakes.[13]
Spyder F3
Powered by a 1330 cc Rotax ACE ("Advanced Combustion Efficiency") inline-3 engine with a claimed output of 115 hp (86 kW) at 7250 rpm and 96 lb⋅ft (130 N⋅m) at 5000 rpm, the Spyder F3 cruiser model features a different seat, passenger back rest, and handlebars, all of which contribute to increased comfort. It has a claimed range of 252 miles (406 km) per full tank of gas.[14]
Spyder RT
The Spyder RT is a touring-oriented model intended for optimal long-distance riding comfort.[14][15] It is equipped with a different passenger back rest and adjustable wind deflectors.[16]
Ryker
The Ryker was launched in 2018 as a more affordable lower-tier version of the Spyder, intended for a younger entry-level demographic. With 600 cc and 900 cc Rotax liquid-cooled engine options, the Ryker is lighter than the Spyder by nearly 300 pounds (140 kg).[17] It uses a continuously variable transmission.[18][19]
The Rally Edition of the Ryker is a model outfitted for dirt roads, with reinforced wheels and dirt tires, a skid plate, rally handlebars with hand guards, and a "Max Mount" tail section for attaching cargo. Compared to the base Ryker 900, the Rally Edition has longer travel (6.38 inches vs. 5.39 inches) KYB suspension and an additional 0.4 inches (10 mm) of ground clearance.[18][20]
Side-by-sides
The first Can-Am manufacturer-approved four-wheeler able to handle two passengers arrived in 2002.
Renegade
The 2007 Renegade 800 was a big-bore sport-recreational ATV engineered to create a thrilling ride. With a CVT sub-transmission with high, low, park, neutral & reverse, it offered a sporty riding stance more prone to aggressive trail tackling and equally suitable for dirt track racing.[21] It was also suitable for rough terrain where other large vehicles would not fit. The Renegade 800 came with a small storage space and a rear rack.[21]
The more recent Renegade X mr 1000R model is capable of 91 hp (68 kW), with a CVT adjusting the drive ratio.[22]
Outlander
The Outlander 800 was launched in 2006 with an 80-degree V-twin, using TTI suspension in the back and double A-arms in the front. It also had a Visco-Lok auto-locking differential.[23] The 2022 Outlander MR model has a front differential.[24]
Commander
BRP launched two Commander models in 2011: the Commander 1000 (85 hp (63 kW)) and the Commander 800R (71 hp (53 kW)). Convenience features included a dual-level cargo box.[25]
The Commander X MR has its engine air intake positioned higher to prevent water and dirt from getting inside.[26] The 2022 Commander XT-P model is equipped with Fox suspension, 15-inch wheels, and 30-inch tires. The base XT is available in either 1,000cc or 650cc guise, but the Max and XT-P are 1,000cc only.[27]
Maverick
In 2013, BRP launched the Maverick. The Maverick 1000R model was designed to compete against the Polaris RZR XP 900. At the time, the Maverick 1000R boasted the most horsepower in its class, 101 hp (75 kW), from a 976 cc Rotax twin-cylinder engine.[28] It gained attraction to its appearance and its dimensions (64 inches wide by 118'' long and 74'' high).[29]
As of 2022, three high-powered trim levels were available, producing between 120 and 200 hp (89 and 149 kW).[30][31][32][33]
Defender
The Can‑Am Defender vehicle was designed and engineered from the ground up, to establish new standards in terms of torque and power, as well as versatility to cater to all types of outdoor activities. BRP leveraged the Rotax engine technology to create a work-focused version of the durable V-Twin Rotax engines, calibrated to offer torque: the new Rotax 50-hp HD8 or 72-hp HD10 engines.[34]
The Defender 6x6 model has a towing capacity of up to 3,000 lb (1,400 kg), along with a cargo box with hydraulic power tilt.[35]
Community programs
Can-Am manages multiple community programs, such as:
- International Female Ride Day, held annually in May to celebrate the importance of female riders and their positive contributions to the industry.[36]
- The Women of On-Road program, created to help more women experience riding through inclusivity and education. To date, more than 12,500 people have joined the Women of On-Road community.
- The Responsible Rider Program, which aims to educate riders about safety, etiquette, and the environment.
- The Road Warrior Ride, an annual event held in collaboration with the Road Warrior Foundation (RWF) wherein war veterans are given the opportunity to ride Can-Am three-wheelers.[37][38]
The company also holds events during International Off-Road Day on the 8th of October.[39]
ATV racing
This section has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
In 2005, Antoine Morel of France won that year's Dakar Rally on a BRP DS 650 X.[citation needed] In late October that year, a BRP-sponsored team won its first Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) championship in the Utility Modified ATV class, later earning a total of 12 GNCC championships in the following four seasons.[40]
In 2006, Juan Manuel Gonzales, Antoine Morel, and Alain Morel, racing for Can-Am, claimed the 2006 Dakar Rally podium in the ATV category.[41]
In 2007, Warnert Racing Can-Am riders Rick Cecco, Michael Swift, and Cliff Beasley won the 12 Hours of ATV America endurance race.[42]
In 2008, Can-Am riders took the two top spots in the 2008 CMRC Canadian Pro 450 ATV championship. Can-Am X-Team racer and Québec native Richard Pelchat pulled the second-moto holeshot and dominated the rest of the field to win the overall race and championship at Ste-Julie near Montréal. It was Pelchat's sixth national championship and the first Canadian national championship for the DS 450. Michael Ouellete, who raced for NDB Sport / PLX Sport took second overall in the championship aboard his DS 450.[43]
In 2009, Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am saw two big victories at the final round of the 2009 GNCC season near Crawfordsville, Indiana. The first saw Michael Swift completing a perfect season in the 4x4 Limited class at the Ironman GNCC, the second was Bryan Buckhannon's 4x4 Open championship - and morning overall victory - also on his Outlander 800R.[44]
In the U2 class, Can-Am X-Team racer Jeremie Dudding took the victory. In the Women's Novice class, Cassie Carlson finished the season with a win. Cliff Beasley, who already had the 4x4 Lites class championship, easily won his class. Wrapping up the weekend was Chris Bithell who narrowly missed out on an afternoon podium finishing fourth overall in the XC1 Pro class on his DS 450.[44]
It was an extremely successful GNCC racing season for Can-Am as Outlanders swept all three 4x4 class championships and the Renegade 800R won its first U2 class championship with Rick Cecco. In all, Can-Am took home four GNCC championships in 2009 and will be hunting for more in 2010.[44]
In 2013, Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers competed in the 46th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert endurance race in Mexico and came away with one class victory and third-place finish it the UTV class.Team UXC Racing/Can-Am racer Michael Swift rode the entire 833-mile course alone to win Class 26 aboard his Outlander 4x4 ATV.Cory Sappington also finished the race, earning third overall in Class 19 (UTV) with his Desert Toyz/Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle.[45]
Three Can-Am Outlander ATV and Grand National Cross Country racers made up the competitors for class 26. They consisted of Team UXC Racing/Can-Am team members Michael Swift and Don Higbee, who each raced alone on separate ATVs, as well as Penland Racing/Can-Am pilot Mike Penland and his squad. Swift, who won the 2013 GNCC U2 class championship on a Can-Am Renegade 4x4, held the lead for much of the race and finished averaging 26.6 mph.[45]
Mitch Guthrie Jr. took the checkered flag for both 2018 and 2019 races at the Can-Am King of the Hammers UTV race.[46]
In 2020, Can-Am dominated the Side-by-Side Category: First Place. Casey Currie (California, USA) and co-driver Sean Berriman (Las Vegas, USA) from the Monster Energy Can-Am race team took home first place, winning by 39 min. In Podium Sweep, Can-Am vehicles finished 1-2-3 for the second straight year. In Going 20 for 20, Can-Am vehicles crossed the finish line in all of the top 20 positions. This led to an overall domination: 29 of the top 31 race finishers were driving Can-Am vehicles.[47]
In 2021, Francisco López, Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre won the first place in the Dakar Rally held in Saudi Arabia in the combined Lightweight Vehicle category as well as the Side-by-Side class riding Maverick X3 SxS. Can-Am was also one of the top 11 finishers in class – 24 of 29 finishers were driving a Can-Am vehicle.[48]
In 2022, Can-Am announced that factory racers scored victories in both desert and short course racing. Austin Weiland and his team secured the win in the Pro UTV Forced Induction class and UTV Overall at the 54th SCORE Baja 500, while Nick Bruce secured second in the Pro Stock UTV class. Kyle Chaney secured the win at the first round of the Short Course Championship Off-Road Series in Antigo.[49]
The first round of the Short Course Championship Off-Road series kicked off in Wisconsin at Antigo Lions Roaring Raceway, where Can-Am Factory racer, Kyle Chaney, took the win in the Pro Turbo SxS class against a stacked field in Maverick X3.[49]
Can-Am Off-Road scored their fifth consecutive Dakar Rally victory since 2018. Can-Am Factory South Racing driver Austin Jones (right) and his navigator, Gustavo Gugelmin, won the T4 category at the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.[50]
References
- ^ a b "History of Can-Am®". www.familypowersports.com. 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ a b c d e "The Beginning". Canned Ham. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "History of the International Six Days Trial". ultimatemotorcycling.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Jeff Smith at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "Gary Jones at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "1974 Motocross Season". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ Familiar Faces Fill the Forest, American Motorcyclist, January 1977, Vol. 31, No. 1, ISSN 0277-9358. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
- ^ "BRP Returns To Two-Wheelers With The Can-Am Electric Motorcycle". Woman Motorcycle Enthusiast. 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "Bombardier ATV becomes Can-Am - Dirt Trax Online". www.atvmag.com. 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "ATV Triumph at the Toughest Rally". www.rotax.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "Largest parade of BRP Can-Am Spyder Roadsters". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "Can-Am Spyder 2008 : la liberté sur trois roues". guideauto.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ a b Wheelen, Dustin (2022-05-16). "2022 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited". ridermagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Charboneau, Michael. "Can-Am Goes Off the Pavement With Its 2022 Three-Wheelers". Men's Journal. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Miles, Graham K. (2022-07-28). "2022 Can-Am Spyder RT [Specs, Features, Photos] | wBW". webBikeWorld. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "Can-Am® Ryker® VS Can-Am® Spyder®". www.crossroadpowersports.com. May 25, 2020. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ a b Smith, Jenny (2018-09-11). "2018 Can-Am Ryker - First Look Review". womanrider.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "A Can-Am Ryker Is More Ludicrously Fun Than You'd Expect It To Be". Jalopnik. 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Chung, Dennis (2021-08-03). "Can-Am Ryker 900 Sport Certified for 2022". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ a b "2007 Can Am Renegade 800 4x4 First Ride Review". ATV Rider. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Alma (2022-06-24). "ATV TEST: 2022 CAN-AM RENEGADE X XC 1000R". Dirt Wheels Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "CAN-AM/ BRP Outlander 800 HO EFI XT specs - 2006, 2007". autoevolution. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "2022 Can-Am ATV and UTV Lineup: Better Performance and Comfort". Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Crowley, Jon (2010-03-17). "Can-Am Commander 1000 X". UTV Guide. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "2022 Can-Am ATV and UTV Lineup: Better Performance and Comfort". Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "2022 Can-Am Commander XT and XT-P". UTV Driver. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "First Ride: 2021 Can-Am Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo RR With Smart Shocks". MotorTrend. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Turgeon, Jacques (2013-07-19). "Essai CAN-AM Maverick1000 X rs 2013". Magazine InfoQuad.com (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "First Ride: 2021 Can-Am Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo RR With Smart Shocks". MotorTrend. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Micah Anderson (2021-08-23). "Off-Road Awesomeness: 2022 Can-Am Maverick X3". Off Road Xtreme. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Araiza, Ernesto (2021-08-11). "Can-Am unveils 2022 lineup of ATV and side-by-side vehicles". UTVUnderground.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "The utility and off-road vehicles every forestry worker needs to know about". Forestry Journal. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ Staff, ATV Escape. "Can-Am Introduces A True UTV- Meet The Defender". ATV ESCAPE. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "Can-Am Off-Road Expands MY22 Lineup with Focus on Enhanced Comfort in its Hardworking Defender Lineup". www.canadianinsider.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "Can-Am to Support International Female Ride Day | Rider Magazine". ridermagazine.com. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "BRP Salutes Veterans Day With RWF". The Voice of Power Sports Retailers. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Crowley, Jon (2021-05-28). "Can-Am Continues its Commitment to Military Veterans Ahead of Memorial Day". UTV Guide. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Crowley, Jon (2021-09-29). "October 8 is Now International Off-Road Day". UTV Guide. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "BRPS Second Consecutive Win at the quot Dakar Rally quot : Off-Road.com". www.off-road.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "BRP Bombardier Sweeps ATV Podium with DS 650 X at 2006 Dakar Rally". www.atvriders.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "BRP Wins 12-Hour ATV Race in Texas: Off-Road.com". www.off-road.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "BRP Wins CMRC National championship: Off-Road.com". www.off-road.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ a b c "BRP Clinches Another GNCC Championship At Finale". Can-Am ATV & UTV Forums. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ a b "Swift Wins Baja 1000 Utility Class On Can-Am Outlander Sappington earns SxS class podium finish with Desert Toyz/Can-Am Maverick". www.dirttoysmag.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "2022 King of the Hammers". www.griffinrad.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ BRP (2020-01-17). "Can-Am Side-by-Side Vehicle Wins the Dakar Rally for the Third Consecutive Year". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ McMahon, Dave (2021-01-15). "Can-Am Maverick X3 wins Dakar Rally for 4th year in a row". powersportsbusiness.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ a b Nouvelles, Salle des (2022-06-10). "Can-Am Scores Wins at 2022 SCORE Baja 500 & Championship Off-Road". Magazine InfoQuad.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ McMahon, Dave (2022-01-14). "Can-Am Off-Road claims fifth consecutive win at Dakar Rally". powersportsbusiness.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.