Why Can-Am stop making dirt bikes

[@l.a.raustadt518]

I bought a 1980 MX 6 125 from a Can Am dealer in a crate for $500 new. They were so happy to get rid of it they assembled it before I picked it up. It was already several model years old but still new. I rode and raced it a little and it was fun and dependable. I did a bunch of Hare Scrambles on it in Minnesota and was on the track with the great Jeff Smith ( Can Am) ex world MX champ and developmental rider and National Champ John Martin (Can Am) , John now owns MIllville MX Track ! Fun big time.

[@ren3gade__]

Now that’s really cool and I know you had fun experience 🔥💪🏽

[@PaulVillagomez-g7w]

I also bought a 1980 MX-6 125 in May 1980. I had never heard of them but the price was great and it was brand new. Brought it home and rode the heck out it that summer, taking it to the track and dailing it in. The only problem i had was with the spark arrestor that clogged too easily requiring constant cleaning. Ended up just taking part of the spark arrestor off and leaving it off. Wish I would have hung onto it but ended up selling it in 1983.

[@dennischapin]

I had a 1975 MX-2 125 that I bought used in 1977, it was my first motocross bike and a big handful to ride after coming from a 100cc Kawasaki enduro. After several rides and then studding the tires to ride on the ice in the Michigan winter the plastic oil pump gear broke and the engine seized. I sold it to a mechanic at my local Kawasaki/Can Am dealer and he turned in into a flat track racer and took 1st place at the ice races in 1978 beating guys on new Suzuki RMs and Yamaha YZs.

[@ren3gade__]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing and great way to turn something around 👀

[@trollonwiggins]

Didn't really clear up why Can-Am quit making bikes. I did see Jimmy Ellis race at the Talladega motocross race. I think he won, if I remember.

[@DonGoldstein-b7q]

I owned a 1979 MX-5 250cc. Was an awesome bike. I think if Can - Am stayed in business they would have been the KTM of its time today. If that makes sense.

[@ren3gade__]

I agree with statement and appreciate input man that orange on Mx-5 sweet 👀🔥

[@BatKountry]

I have read that the founder of Bombardier thought there was going to be massive profits in dirt bike markets. The Japanese and Euro manufactures were actually loosing millions in off road racing. Or they seen that as an investment based on the popularity of MX racing in the 60's 70's and 80's. Bombardier might have stayed with dirt bikes but i believe what ultimately ended their efforts were the near billion dollar contracts they landed in rail transit with NY and the aviation markets. Those two markets fueled Bombardier to be the company it is today and i don't think we would even see their off-road SXS and ATV's if it weren't for those aviation and rail endeavors.

[@ren3gade__]

Thanks for input very informative 👌🤙🏾

[@grahamchilds821]

The best dirt bike I would choose back then and now is the Valencia orange can ams from the beautifull country of Canada the lovely motocross and enduro I have ridden one back in the day they were and always will be the best dirt bike ever made

[@ren3gade__]

Couldn't agree more!

[@JamesRoss-m9g]

miss my MX 500 from 1984 .Rotax motor was bullet proof.

[@wheelie63]

got a 400 Qualifier [ 1980 ] in the barn...........wheelies all 5 gears on power alone...........oh yeah.

[@ren3gade__]

That’s really cool 👀😎

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Its simple the big 4 japper manufacturers found a market, had R&D and talented racers bring the sport to the next level..Euro and Canadian bike engineers fell asleep and they were smoked.😂👍

[@ren3gade__]

True lol 😂

[@markb7067]

Nice presentation! Unfortunately for Can Am, the Japanese manufacturers grew by outpacing others in technology in the late 70's and early 80's. Even more, unfortunately, Can Am struggled financially. Failing investment and poor management at Armstrong and CCM, can-am ceased production in 1987. This stemmed from the breakup of the Armstrong and CCM relationship, with Armstrong Corporation falling on difficult financial times. It put the motorcycle business on the market, with Alan Clewes retaking ownership.

[@ren3gade__]

Thanks for additional info 👍🏾

[@Scott-ow3tz]

Great video my friend. Can AM stands for Canadian American partnership. 1986 was the last of Can AM motorcrossers. The Can AM you see today is not the same company just the name is the same

[@ren3gade__]

Thanks for input and I can agree!

[@Scott-ow3tz]

@@ren3gade__ I'm getting old. That's how I know lol.

[@grahamchilds821]

The 1970s can ams were the best in the world and still a great bike to admire and back then they were strongly built dirtbikes

[@ren3gade__]

Agreed and I wasn’t even in era

[@petedorta4449]

I had a MX.250.mighty powerful only compare to Husqvarna Simply the best Why thewent away?😢

[@charliemowry774]

Could have bought one, should have 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@grahamchilds821]

The start of the great can ams from 1973 bikes of motocross beauty then onward to the orange models

[@grahamchilds821]

1973 brought out a beautifull coloured motocross they were beautifull jimmy Ellis road the best bike to victory

[@scottchristian5056]

Wow. You can't read.

[@ren3gade__]

😏