Can Am Bombardiers

**Runner** · #1 10 Jun 2004

Any opinions on UK Army surplus Can Am Bombardiers as light-duty offroad and short-range overland bikes?

Rider (me) is not that au fait with bikes. Ive ridden a friend's Tenere 600 in the Sahara and loved it, now looking for something used but reliable in Europe. Im not intending any big overland routes, just something to get me out into the wilds at weekends.

**Grant Johnson** · #2 11 Jun 2004

Get something more generally available with good parts supply. Yamaha Honda Kawasaki Suzuki in other words.

Leave the weird stuff for experts that WANT one of those because... well just because... no good reason I can think of.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**simmo** · #3 11 Jun 2004

Is that the same as an Armstrong?

**Steve Pickford** · #4 11 Jun 2004

Possible that both have an old air cooled Rotax engine?

**Runner** · #5 13 Jun 2004

Thanks for that. Yes its the Armstrong and yes its the Rotax skidoo engine.

Spares in the UK are IMHO not bad as they are military issue bikes and so (I think) reasonably accessible. I wouldnt want it for going abroad a) because I am not that experienced with bikes and b) I have a 4x4 for that, and one expensive hobby (obsession!) is enough....!

I like the idea of a regularly (competently) serviced bike at a decent price (they are about 1200 sterling), though I guess Army bikes get some pretty serious offroad use.

Hmmm. Just kicking a ball around anyway. I could always get a loan and get a new bike.

*edit* sorry, I know these are dopey, basic questions. That Tenere sowed a seed with me, though I am not wanting something serious, just a toy really for weekends (bedroll on the back and get as far away from neon and tarmac as possible) when I dont want to go to the trouble of wrestling a huge Defender past lots of scowling ramblers.....

[This message has been edited by Runner (edited 13 June 2004).]

**DAVSATO** · #6 13 Jun 2004

they are hard used by the army,and serviced if youre lucky, so beware what you are buying. they are also very heavy with poor suspension, and dont pay extra for one with "harley davidson" side panels. also they've not been used by the army for years so how long has the bike been sat in storage?

if you liked the tenere so much, get one! surely you can get a decent one for £1200? i dont want to put you off the armstrong, but for that money there are many other better bikes around.

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dave