When you think of Sesto, Italy, you imagine a postcard, jagged peaks of the Dolomites tearing into the sky, mist curling over pine-lined valleys, and trails that look almost too beautiful to be real. But for me, this trip wasn’t about soaking in the alpine calm. It was about bringing the 2025 Can-Am Origin, a fresh-faced electric enduro, into the dirt, rocks, and slippery reality of Red Stag Enduro Park.
I had already tasted the Origin on its debut ride in France, a light drizzle, a few stretches of gravel, and a small taste of its torque. But that was like taking a hunting dog for a walk in the garden. In Sesto, things would be different. This was real terrain: mud that tries to eat your boots, forest trails that demand commitment, climbs where hesitation means sliding back.
The goal was simple: push the Origin far beyond a showroom shine. We had a mixed crew, Mex, the tall amateur with enthusiasm and brute energy; Busty Wolter, a seasoned pro who knows how to wring every drop of performance from a bike; and McGregor, the steady touring rider who can sniff out long-haul comfort (or lack thereof) in a heartbeat.
Technical Specifications, 2025 Can-Am Origin
These technical specifications are as listed by the Can’s official site. For the latest updates, always refer to the brand’s official source.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine Type | Electric Motor |
| Maximum Power | 47 hp (35 kW version) / 15 hp (11 kW A1-license version) |
| Maximum Torque | 72 Nm |
| Length | 2,204 mm |
| Width | 861 mm |
| Height | 1,414 mm |
| Ready-to-Ride Weight (with ABS) | 187 kg |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled motor and battery |
| Front Suspension | 43 mm USD fork (non-adjustable) |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock (non-adjustable) |
| Front Wheel | 90/90-21 |
| Rear Wheel | 120/80-18 |
| Brakes | Disc front and rear, ABS, active recuperation system |
| Display | 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay |
| Drive | Single-sided swingarm, enclosed internal chain |
| Range (claimed) | ~100 km (real-world off-road: 50–60 km) |
| Price (MSRP) | €16,499 |
First Impressions, Electric Punch in Alpine Silence
The very first pull of the throttle in Sesto was a reminder that electric torque doesn’t ask for permission. Even in the smaller 11 kW version, the Origin leaps forward from a standstill like a startled mountain goat. The absence of engine noise means your senses shift, you hear the crunch of gravel under the front wheel, the distant echo of a woodpecker, the squelch of mud as the rear tyre bites in.
Rotax, the Austrian engineering sibling in Can-Am’s family, has tuned the motor to give a very direct, very linear push. In tight forest sections, this made the bike feel like it was reading my mind. Small throttle movements produced instant results. But that also meant caution was needed; with traction control off, a sloppy twist would have the rear end flicking sideways faster than you could say “oops.”
Handling the Chassis, Comfort over Hardcore
The 43 mm upside-down fork looks the part, but the lack of adjustability is a reminder that this is an adventure-leaning enduro, not a competition weapon. At my 75 kg weight, the factory setting felt balanced for moderate off-road work. It soaked up roots and small rocks well, but on deeper hits, the fork felt close to maxing out.
One clever design feature immediately stood out, the drive unit is directly flanged to the swingarm, enclosed with an internal chain. This means there’s no suspension squat under acceleration. It’s uncanny at first, you expect the rear to compress when you get on the throttle, but instead, the bike stays flat and composed. On loose climbs in Red Stag Park, this made a huge difference. I could keep my weight neutral, letting the tyres dig in without upsetting balance.
The downside? The rear shock absorber is quite exposed. By the time we were done with the morning loop, it was wearing a coat of Dolomite mud thick enough to plant potatoes in.
Electronics, The Big Screen Adventure
The 10.25-inch touchscreen is straight from the “why not” school of motorcycle design. It’s huge, bright, and Apple CarPlay-ready. You can check navigation, pair your phone, or fiddle with BRP’s own app integrations.
But with great tech comes… too many buttons. The left switch cluster looked like it belonged on a spaceship. Navigating menus while wearing muddy gloves took patience. Busty found that disabling ABS and traction control, vital for proper off-road riding, took a few too many steps.
Still, Can-Am nailed one crucial thing: liquid cooling for both the motor and the battery. On a long, muddy climb with constant power draw, I never once saw a heat warning. In an electric bike designed for slow, high-load terrain, that’s a lifesaver for battery life and performance.
Braking, A Tale of Two Extremes
If there’s one thing that had me raising an eyebrow, it was the braking balance. The front brake felt soft and vague, not giving the confidence I want when approaching a downhill littered with loose rock. The rear brake, on the other hand, was a hair trigger, a gentle press went from “slowing” to “locked wheel” in a heartbeat.
Add in the active recuperation system, where twisting the throttle forward increases engine braking and recharges the battery, and you’ve got a mix that needs finesse. Busty had a moment where the rear locked mid-corner because the throttle nudged forward while braking. On the road, I can see this being an asset. Off-road, I kept it switched off.
Ergonomics, Compact Yet Compromising
The Origin’s slim waist makes threading between trees a joy. Standing up, I could shift my weight easily to guide the front wheel. But taller riders like Mex (1.92 m) had complaints. The footpegs are unusually high, forcing a tight knee bend when seated, and when standing, the handlebars felt too close.
For me, the sitting position worked fine for relaxed sections. For Busty, the standing posture was less natural, leaning forward more than he liked reduced his ability to absorb impacts with his legs. I can’t help but think a slightly taller handlebar and lower peg position would transform the standing comfort.
Range, The Elephant in the Forest
Can-Am quotes 100 km per charge, but in the mud and climbs of Sesto, I was seeing closer to 55–60 km before the battery begged for mercy. Ride it like Busty, full throttle, constant bursts, and you’ll drain it even faster.
For a day of trail fun near home, that’s fine. But as a long-distance adventure bike? That’s where the dream meets the charging cable. Until charging infrastructure in remote areas becomes common, the Origin is more of a playground bike than a trans-continent traveller.
Durability, Ready for a Beating
One of the big wins for the Origin is its sealed, waterproof construction. No air intake, no exhaust, no fear of water crossings. The battery pack’s housing feels like it could survive a boulder drop, and the internal chain drive should, in theory, need minimal attention. Can-Am claims the chain could last the bike’s lifetime.
The bolted rear subframe, sturdy levers, and enduro-friendly tyre sizes (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) all point towards a design made for real trails.
Conclusion, The Oddball That Sticks in Your Mind
After days in Sesto’s mud, I came away with mixed feelings, but also respect. The 2025 Can-Am Origin is not perfect. The range is short, the ergonomics need tweaking for tall riders, and the brakes need better balance. But it is different. The torque delivery, the stability from the swingarm drive, the silence in the forest, these are things combustion bikes can’t match.
At €16,499, it’s a bike for a very specific rider: someone with a passion for electric tech, a love for off-road exploring, and perhaps a petrol bike already in the garage. It’s a niche machine, but one worth trying if you ever get the chance.
Can the Can-Am Origin handle deep water crossings?
Yes. With no air intake or exhaust, and a sealed battery housing, it’s designed to be fully waterproof.
How long does Can-Am Origin battery take to charge?
On a standard charger, several hours. Fast charging options can reduce this, but availability depends on your area.
Is the 11 kW version of Can-Am Origin underpowered for off-road?
Not at all. The instant torque makes it lively, even compared to some mid-capacity petrol bikes.
