Ridden: The Game-Changing Can-Am Pulse and Origin E-Motorcycles Made a Believer Out of Me

Undoubtedly, the world around us is accommodating an electrified future. Electric cars are a lot more popular nowadays, and electrified vehicles such as planes, boats, bikes, and more are slowly being adopted. This adoption is partly natural, like with e-bikes, and partly "forced," like with the drastic regulations introduced in some parts of the world.

The production of electric motorcycles is lagging behind that of cars, although we're seeing more and more electrified two-wheelers hit the market. Let me tell you more about these two and my amazing experience with them. But first, let's get you up to speed with what Can-Am is all about.

Can-Am is known for its line of ATVs, side-by-sides, and three-wheeled motorcycles. It's part of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), a Canadian company and a heavy name in the world of motorized recreational vehicles. You've probably heard of Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, and Rotax, some of the iconic brands under the umbrella of BRP.

Can-Am started manufacturing two-wheeled motorcycles in 1972—not just any motorcycles, but award-winning ones powered by Rotax engines. However, in 1987, Can-Am halted production.

After a decades-long absence, the brand is now making a comeback with the same energy but redirected toward building an electrified future. It's looking to, as it shared, "become the symbol of a new energy coming into the motorcycle world." Specifically, it aims to become a global electric motorcycle leader, starting in North America and Europe. This legacy brand is very serious about this shift.

Although the Origin and the Pulse have two clear and different purposes, they're built with similar customers in mind: those passionate about riding regardless of their experience.

As you'll soon see, these two e-motorcycles are suitable for seasoned riders and newcomers alike. They've got new tech and bold designs, but they still nod to Can-Am's origins.

Design Evaluation

Although it might not look like it initially, these two bikes have some similarities. But each deserves its own spotlight, so I'll take them individually, starting with my favorite of the two.

2025 Can-Am Origin

The Can-Am Origin is a dual sport bike designed to tackle both on and off-road riding. As its name suggests, it's a nod to Can-Am's motocross heritage. Its capabilities make it worthy of bearing this name—more on that in a bit.

You'll know the Origin's purpose as soon as you lay eyes on it, as it exudes off-road toughness but with a modern touch. It rides on knobby Dunlop D605 tires wrapped in 21" front, 18" rear spoked wheels paired with a KYB 43mm fork with 255mm of travel up front. Moreover, it has a 59-inch wheelbase, a seat height of 34 inches, and a ground clearance of 10.8 inches.

Spec Highlight:

• Motor: Rotax E-Power, liquid-cooled
• Battery: Integrated, lithium-ion, 8.9 kWh
• Power: 47 hp peak (35 kW) / 27 hp continuous (20 kW)
• Torque: 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) from 0 to 4600 RPM
• Weight: 412 lb. (187 kg)
• Estimated Range: combined 71 miles (115 km), city 90 miles (145 km)
• Charging Time: 50 minutes (20%-80%) with 6.6 kW charger

2025 Can-Am Pulse

The 2025 Can-Am Pulse is designed with a different purpose: urban riding. You can also see this in its construction: it looks and feels a lot smaller, with a lower seat height, a short wheelbase, and smaller 17" cast wheels that make it ideal for zipping through city streets.

The e-motorcycle sports a KYB 41mm fork with 140mm travel and comes with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 front and rear tires. Your bottom sits at 30.8 inches, while the wheelbase is 55.6 inches, and ground clearance is 5.7 inches.

It's tiny but muscular; some taller riders might find the Pulse a bit too compact, but its proportions make it perfect for dashing through city traffic. Since Can-Am wants to appeal to new riders and female buyers, the Pulse's design makes sense. Furthermore, technology-wise, it shares a lot of stuff with the Origin.

Spec Highlight:

• Motor: Rotax E-Power, liquid-cooled
• Battery: Integrated, lithium-ion, 8.9 kWh
• Power: 47 hp peak (35 kW) / 27 hp continuous (20 kW)
• Torque: 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) from 0 to 4600 RPM
• Weight: 390 lb. (177 kg)
• Estimated Range: combined 80 miles (130 km), city 100 miles (160 km)
• Charging Time: 50 minutes (20%-80%) with 6.6 kW charger

Unique Chaincase

The feature that sets these two e-motorcycles the most is the drivetrain they're built on—specifically, a fully enclosed chaincase integrated into a proprietary single-sided swingarm.

This groundbreaking technology was inspired by the brand's expertise in other BRP vehicles, like three-wheelers and snowmobiles. And it doesn't just sound good on paper – this thing actually makes a significant difference.

Here's why it's so special. Most electric motorcycles have belt drives, which are quiet yet more susceptible to failure, compared to chain drives, which are noisy but more reliable.

This enclosed chaincase protects the chain from any exterior elements and keeps it lubricated by immersing it in oil. The Rotax E-Motor is included in the swingarm, providing better grip and anti-squat control, as in it reduces compression on the rear suspension under hard acceleration. It's also incredible how silent it is, even compared to other electric motorcycles.

Electric motorbikes require less maintenance than traditional ICE ones. However, this enclosed chain case makes maintenance even easier, as it has an automatic tensioner that ensures the chain stays at optimal tension.

Can-Am shared that an oil change is required every 10,000 km (6,214 miles), and chain inspection is required at 25,000 km (15,534 miles).

But wait, it gets even better. This design improves the suspension's performance by allowing it to operate independently. Traditional chain and sprocket configurations can interfere with suspension performance.

In this setup, a cog behind the swingarm drives the chain, which means the forces of the drive chain cannot influence the rear suspension action. The E-motor is close to the pivot point, reducing unsprung mass.

How about power? The Origin and Pulse share the same 35 kW motor, which equals roughly 47 hp. That makes it legal for e-motorcycles to ride with an A2 license in Europe. 47 hp might not sound like a lot of power, but trust me, they feel like a lot once you ride these bad boys.

Torque is rated at 53 lb-ft or 72 Nm of torque. Moreover, top speed is electronically limited at 80 mph (129 kph), and 0-60 mph (0-96 kph) takes about 4.3 seconds for the Origin and 3.8 seconds for the Pulse. But what makes the experience even more intense is the instant acceleration.

An 11-kW version is also available, making the bike suitable for riding with a European A1 license, which you can get once you turn 16. But here's the interesting bit: the only difference between the performance of the bikes with the two different motors is torque: price and top speed are the same, and autonomy can slightly differ depending on how you ride.

However, the difference is so small that Can-Am says the range is the same. I'll tell you more about my experience with both types of bikes in the "Riding Experience" chapter below.

Range & Battery

The Origin and Pulse feature an 8.9 kWh liquid-cooled battery. The cool thing is that it plays a critical structural role in the bikes. This setup helps reduce the overall weight of the bikes.

Can-Am has made the battery a key visual component, celebrating it by making it pop out with a bright yellow color. Its entire system is liquid-cooled to optimize range and charging and limit thermal derating. The liquid cooling system also covers the charger, inverter, and motor. By the way, the battery comes with a five-year warranty, while the bike has a 2-year warranty.

The Can-Am team shared that they tested the battery in extremely hot and cold environments and even took the Origin through water. The battery still performed excellently, all thanks to the liquid-cooling system, with no drop in performance. It's a tried-and-tested technology that we know is reliable, as it's been used on BRP's 200-hp snowmobiles.

Let's talk about the all-important range, a make-it-or-break-it factor for most EVs. This is a downside to most electric motorbikes. Unfortunately, I can't help but think that this issue also applies to Can-Am's new bikes.

The Origin has about 90 miles (145 km) of city range and 71 miles (114 km) for combined highway and city driving. That's alright if you ride it in the city or have trails starting in the backyard of your home. But what if you need to ride to the trail? You'll most likely have some anxiety about whether the bike can last off-road and then back home.

The Pulse has a bit more range: 80 miles (230 km) combined and 100 miles (160 km) in the city. It's more than enough for zipping around town but can be limited for short highway rides (depending on how long they are).

On the flip side, the liquid-cooling system means you won't have to let the battery cool for long before charging. Both the Origin and Pulse come equipped with an onboard charger. They're capable of 6.6 kW charging; Can-AM claims that it takes just 50 minutes to go from 20% to 80% or fully charge from 0% to 100% in 1 hour and 30 minutes. This relatively fast charging performance is achieved thanks to the battery's cooling system.

On a Level 1 charger (common residential outlets), you'll have to wait around 3 hours and 10 minutes for the battery to reach 80%, while a full charge will take around 5 hours and 15 minutes. These stats are okay for a longer riding break or charging overnight, but you'll ideally need a Level 2 charger if you want to take shorter breaks. Can-AM shared that fitting a Level 3 charger wasn't possible due to the sheer size of the unit—it couldn't fit in the bikes.

Finally, I have to tell you about my favorite feature on these bikes: Regen. There are two types of Regen: passive and active. Each can be adjusted with three settings: Off, Min, and Max.

Passive Regen kicks in every time you release the throttle, slowing you down and recovering energy. Even on Max settings, it's quite subtle, as you can feel it, but it doesn't impact your riding experience much. I felt no need to set it to Min or turn it off altogether, especially as it maximizes your range.

Active Regen gets back three times the energy provided by Passive Regen. To use it, you need to twist the throttle in the opposite direction, which slows the bike significantly and recovers a great amount of energy.

It's so finely tuned that it doesn't feel abrupt yet it slows you down a lot. Moreover, it nearly eliminates the need for braking – of course, you'll still brake, but you'll end up using the brakes a lot less—or at least that was my experience.

Electronics & Connectivity

As expected, these modern electric motorcycles are packed with technology. Everything is controlled through the unmissable 10.25-inch touchscreen display and through a humongous control unit mounted to the handlebars.

Since you can't use the display beyond crawling speeds, you'll do most of the fine-tuning through the control unit. Despite its size, it has conveniently located buttons that let you quickly select between modes and cycle through the menu.

The display is Apple CarPlay-compatible, and you can connect to the bike by using the BRP Go! App. What's more, the screen can be operated with gloved hands, in wet weather, and covered in mud. It's built to withstand abuse.

This motorcycle has many electronic functions, but I'll mention the most important or distinctive ones. First, off, there are four driving modes on the Pulse: Eco, Rain, Normal, Sport, while the Origin has two additional ones: Off-Road and Off-Road+. They control three factory defined modes for the motor, ABS, and Traction Control.

One feature that gives you a lot more confidence while riding is the Range Confidence indicator. It's as standard on the right side of the gauge (but you can customize the arrangement) and it calculates an estimated range from your previous ride behavior.

What will give you confidence is not only the number displayed but an indicator that fluctuates between + and –, which lets you know how your current riding style impacts the estimated range.

A Reverse Mode is also available and quickly accessible at the touch of a button, making maneuvering into tight spots a breeze. Other notable features are a tiny, 1.7-liter glovebox integrated into the "fuel tank," which offers wireless charging and a USB port.

Styling & Pricing

I feel Can-AM nailed the aesthetic for these two bikes. Each looks modern yet nods to Can-Am's history in motorcycling. The details are subtle, but you'll see some similarities if you compare the design with that of the brand's old bikes.

Overall, both bikes have eye-catching aesthetics. The snowy owl, one of the world's most silent birds, inspired the designs.

How about pricing? The Pulse's pricing starts at $13,999 / CA$18,299 / €16,999 for the Bright White versions. A Carbon Black version is also available, for which you have to pay an additional $500 / CA$700 / €700.

The Origin is offered starting at $14,499 / CA$18,999 / €17,599 in Bright White, while the Carbon Black variant costs an extra $500 / CA$700 / €600.

Another version is available for each bike: the '73 offered in a Sterling Silver paint job, which pays even more homage to the brand's original 1973 bikes. The Pulse '73 comes with signature LED lights, a gauge spoiler, a vehicle cover, Can-AM stripe wheels, and exclusive '73 badging. The same goes for the Origin, with the exception of the gauge spoiler, which is replaced by a short windshield.

A line of well-crafted accessories is also available, including top boxes, panniers, and screens. They use Can-Am's Linq fixing system, offering a too-free, fuss-free way of customizing your ride.

Riding Experience

To be frank, these two Can-AMs were the first road-going electric motorbikes I'd ever tested. I've ridden numerous electric bicycles, but I didn't know what to expect from the Pulse and Origin.

For context, I ride a 1996 BMW F650 Funduro, which on paper has the same kW and horsepower as the Pulse and Origin. However, the experience on the two bikes when it comes to power is radically different and, frankly, much more enjoyable than on my bike.

The testing experience started in Nice, France, and then we made our way to the mountains near Nice. So, we got to try the bikes in the city, on mountain roads, and even off the beaten path (for the Origin). Keep in mind that the bikes we tested are pre-production units that are subject to some changes.

When I first tried the Origin, I instantly felt at home due to its geometry and seating position, similar to that of my Funduro. As I started riding, I was instantly surprised by how fast the bike was and how easy it was to operate.

The motor offers plenty of instant punch but is not overwhelming. Everything was very smooth, from the throttle response to the handling. The motor could easily overpower the rear tire, so I was happy I got Traction Control to prevent mishaps.

There's no clutch or gears to use—just twist and go. I could immediately see the potential of these bikes for beginners to learn to ride.

The Origin felt planted into the ground but not too heavy; I had no problems maneuvering it through urban environments, even while lane-splitting. Can-Am found that ideal balance that makes you confident to take the Origin to the limit.

One thing I found really weird was the fact that I could talk to the other journalists when riding, as the bikes were really silent. You can't hear the usual noises an electric bike with a chain makes.

Even crazier is the fact that I could hear the music from the car in front while riding at speeds of about 70 kph (43.5 mph) on country roads, not in the city. The loudest noise was the air making its way through the helmet.

As I said earlier, my favorite thing was the Active Regen. I quickly got used to it and seldom used the brakes – the feature felt natural and easy to use regardless of speed or terrain. I liked it so much that I started missing it when I got back to my motorcycle; I was twisting the throttle back, and nothing was happening. When I did use the brakes, they did a fantastic job.

We even got to test out the Origin on some dirt roads. I kicked off the Off-Road+ mode, which disables traction control and rear ABS, and pushed it as hard as possible without risking dropping the bike.

The motorcycle felt excellent. The suspension was doing a great job, and the shock stayed in the correct range of stroke regardless of how hard I was pushing or braking—this applied to both on-road and off-road riding. Moreover, the mud-plugging Dunlop tires were good on both types of terrain.

I then switched to the Pulse. And boy, was I taken aback by how tiny it was. I am 182 centimeters (6 feet) tall, and the bike felt a bit too compact for my taste, at least at first.

However, I got used to the proportions and position and was enthusiastic about how nimble the Pulse was. It felt speedier than the Origin (because it is) and provided great fun, especially on twisties on mountain roads. The instantaneous torque is extremely addictive, and the Pulse felt very well-balanced, providing superior handleability. Even though the Origin handled well through city traffic, the Pulse felt even better in that situation due to its size and nimbleness.

After we finished the ride on mountain twisties and the off-road experience, I felt some range anxiety because I hopped on an Origin with a mere 31 km (19 miles) of range left, and the journey we had to complete back to Nice was 47 km (29 miles) long.

However, it involved a lot of going downhill, and the range confidence indicator perfectly pumped me up with some confidence soon after I started riding. Despite covering more and more kilometers, the range estimate remained the same and even rose in certain parts of the descent.

The regenerative features did the job so well that, according to the indicator, I had 26 km left at the end of the ride. Indeed, the calculation is based on the most recent riding conditions, but the battery charge indicator didn't fluctuate that much.

Another interesting thing happened on the last day of testing. Unbeknownst to me, I hopped on an Origin that I thought had 35 kW of power. However, it was, in fact, an 11-kW version, and I only found out after riding for quite a bit through the city and seeing that there was no Sport mode available. The Sport mode is only available on the 35 kW variants.

Then, when I got to faster roads where I had more space to twist the throttle all the way, I noticed the torque wasn't the same. Can-Am shared that there's a difference of 30% in the amount of torque.

For a beginner rider with an A1 license (or any type of license), these 11-kW versions are fantastic. They look identical, perform almost the same, and require a lot less training and getting used to.

EVs still have many haters, and this applies to electric two-wheelers as well. To them, I say, "Keep an open mind, try them out, and then form an opinion." I'm a fan of traditional motorcycles as well, but I couldn't have imagined how much I'd like Can-Am's e-motorcycles.

In a Nutshell

The main issues with Can-Am's new bikes, which are quite hard to ignore, are price and range. The latter is especially problematic for the Origin, which is supposed to be used as a dual-purpose bike yet might struggle to return from wherever you take it off-road.

Regarding price, I'm not saying that Can-Am's bikes are expensive compared to other e-motorcycles, but rather that electrified two-wheelers are generally pricey compared to their ICE counterparts. Moreover, the electric motorcycle market isn't currently in a good spot. Manufacturers are going bankrupt (think Energica, FUELL, or Cake), and sales are dropping.

That being said, I feel that Can-Am has done an outstanding job with the Origin and Pulse. They ride very well and pack a lot of technology, with some innovative features like the chain case. These, paired with the eye-catching designs and amazing performance, set the two bikes apart from other offerings.

The closest competition is the Zero S. For around $1,000 more, it offers a larger battery pack and more peak power, but it's also heavier, while the range is almost the same.

What really makes Can-Am stand out among all manufacturers and gives it a major advantage is its vast expertise and network of 3,000 dealers in 130 countries across the globe. The brand has also hinted that it has two more electric models based on the same platform in the pipeline.

All in all, Can-Am is taking a gamble, which has a good chance of being successful. With future regulations imposing EV-only use in some parts of the world, Can-Am is setting itself up to be one of the, if not THE, most important player(s) in the e-motorcycle market. Its first two offerings are an amazing indicator of the brand's capabilities and how it can (and most likely will) significantly impact the industry's future.