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'Can-Am' was a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Canadian Bombardier 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 250cc motocross national championship with Can-Am riders finishing first, second and third. The bikes gained a reputation for their high horsepower outputs.
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 convential piston port motors used on Japanese motorcycles. The MX3 was the pinnacle of Can Am, produced in 1976 it produced 36 horsepower, 6 more than the closest competitor.
However, soon after the Can-Am introduction, the Bombardier corporation shifted its priority
from recreational products towards diversification into 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 of Lancashire, England. 1987 was the final year Can-Am motorcycles were produced.
In 2006, BRP reintroduced the Can-Am brand to its All-terrain vehicles (ATV). And in 2007, the Can-Am brand is also used on BRP's new roadster category. (www.brp.com)