Abstract: The magnetostrictive member is formed of a single crystal of an iron-based alloy having magnetostrictive characteristics, is a plate-like body having a long-side direction and a short-side direction, and has a lattice constant of a <100> orientation in the short-side direction larger than a lattice constant of a <100> orientation in the long-side direction.

Abstract: The magnetostrictive member is formed of a single crystal of an iron-based alloy having magnetostrictive characteristics, is a plate-like body having a long-side direction and a short-side direction, and has a lattice constant of a <100> orientation in the long-side direction not larger than a lattice constant average calculated from lattice constants of <100> orientations in three directions, or the long-side direction, the short-side direction, and a direction orthogonal to the long-side direction and the short-side direction.

Abstract: In a V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) of an ATV, a movable sheave half of a primary sheave is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to a fixed sheave half, and a sheave drive mechanism for controlling the respective groove widths of the primary sheave and a secondary sheave through a driving force by an electric motor is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the movable sheave half of the primary sheave. A footboard of the ATV is located on the outer side of the V-belt CVT in the vehicle width direction and below a primary sheave shaft and a secondary sheave shaft. A portion of the electric motor is located above and in front of the primary sheave shaft as viewed in the sheave shaft direction. A straddle-type vehicle having the compact, yet durable V-belt continuously variable transmission achieves a speed change operation highly responsive to the vehicle running condition.

Abstract: A small-sized vehicle (SSV) capable of inhibiting a differential unit from becoming large in a vertical direction includes an engine, a rear output shaft portion arranged to extend rearwardly of the engine and serving to transmit a driving force of the engine rearward, an intermediate shaft portion rotated by the rear output shaft portion and extended in a vehicle width direction, a rear-wheel differential unit rotated by the intermediate shaft portion and serving for differential movements of a pair of rear-wheel axle shafts connected to a pair of rear wheels.

Abstract: A V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a straddle-type vehicle includes a measurement plate for a rotational speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a primary sheave shaft to control a speed change ratio. The measurement plate is disposed on an opposite end of the primary sheave shaft, to one end of which a driving force of an engine is input, with respect to a primary sheave.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels.

Abstract: A small-sized vehicle, such as an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), includes an engine having an output shaft, a front gear mechanism including a first shaft on a side of a front wheel to which a drive force from a front output shaft portion of the output shaft is transmitted, and a rear gear mechanism including a first shaft on a side of a rear wheel to which a drive force from a rear output shaft portion of the output shaft is transmitted. The front output shaft portion of the output shaft and the first shaft of the front gear mechanism are arranged substantially coaxial with each other, and the rear output shaft portion of the output shaft and the first shaft of the rear gear mechanism are arranged substantially coaxial with each other. The small-sized vehicle is capable of preventing vibrations and noise from being generated.

Abstract: There is provided a small-sized vehicle (SSV) capable of inhibiting a differential unit from becoming large in a vertical direction. The small-sized vehicle comprises an engine, a rear output shaft portion arranged to extend rearwardly of the engine and serving to transmit a driving force of the engine rearward, an intermediate shaft portion rotated by the rear output shaft portion and extended in a vehicle width direction, a rear-wheel differential unit rotated by the intermediate shaft portion and serving for differential movements of a pair of rear-wheel axle shafts connected to a pair of rear wheels.

Abstract: In a V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT), a sheave drive mechanism includes a movable tube coupled to a movable sheave half of a primary sheave so as to be rotatable with respect thereto and axially movable together therewith, a fixed tube disposed internally of and coaxially with the movable tube, and a ball screw mechanism provided between the fixed tube and the movable tube. The sheave drive mechanism further includes an outer peripheral wall arranged to cover the area from a fixed end of the fixed tube to the outer periphery of the movable tube, an oil seal provided between the movable tube and the outer peripheral wall to seal an internal space for enclosing the working surface of the ball screw mechanism, and a communication path for communication between the internal space and the outside of the outer peripheral wall. The V-belt (CVT) has a smooth feed operation of the ball screw mechanism in the sheave drive mechanism and has a high durability attained by waterproofing.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a vehicle includes a muffler including end walls and a side wall connected to the end walls enclosing an interior space of the muffler. A first pipe is disposed within the interior space of the muffler and extends from one end of the muffler at which exhaust gas enters the muffler. A catalyst is located in the first pipe and at least one additional pipe is disposed within the interior space such that a longitudinal axis of the at least one additional pipe is spaced from a longitudinal axis of the first pipe in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe. The first pipe includes a plurality of holes disposed in a sidewall thereof at an upstream side of the catalyst in a direction in which exhaust gas passes through the muffler. The holes in the first pipe are arranged such that some of the exhaust gas passes through the catalyst and the remainder of the exhaust gas passes through the plurality of holes so as to bypass the catalyst.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.

Abstract: A small-sized vehicle, such as an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), includes an engine having an output shaft, a front gear mechanism including a first shaft on a side of a front wheel to which a drive force from a front output shaft portion of the output shaft is transmitted, and a rear gear mechanism including a first shaft on a side of a rear wheel to which a drive force from a rear output shaft portion of the output shaft is transmitted. The front output shaft portion of the output shaft and the first shaft of the front gear mechanism are arranged substantially coaxial with each other, and the rear output shaft portion of the output shaft and the first shaft of the rear gear mechanism are arranged substantially coaxial with each other. The small-sized vehicle is capable of preventing vibrations and noise from being generated.

Abstract: In a V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) of an ATV, a movable sheave half of a primary sheave is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to a fixed sheave half, and a sheave drive mechanism for controlling the respective groove widths of the primary sheave and a secondary sheave through a driving force by an electric motor is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the movable sheave half of the primary sheave. A footboard of the ATV is located on the outer side of the V-belt CVT in the vehicle width direction and below a primary sheave shaft and a secondary sheave shaft. A portion of the electric motor is located above and in front of the primary sheave shaft as viewed in the sheave shaft direction. A straddle-type vehicle having the compact, yet durable V-belt continuously variable transmission achieves a speed change operation highly responsive to the vehicle running condition.

Abstract: In a V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT), a sheave drive mechanism includes a movable tube coupled to a movable sheave half of a primary sheave so as to be rotatable with respect thereto and axially movable together therewith, a fixed tube disposed internally of and coaxially with the movable tube, and a ball screw mechanism provided between the fixed tube and the movable tube. The sheave drive mechanism further includes an outer peripheral wall arranged to cover the area from a fixed end of the fixed tube to the outer periphery of the movable tube, an oil seal provided between the movable tube and the outer peripheral wall to seal an internal space for enclosing the working surface of the ball screw mechanism, and a communication path for communication between the internal space and the outside of the outer peripheral wall. The V-belt (CVT) has a smooth feed operation of the ball screw mechanism in the sheave drive mechanism and has a high durability attained by waterproofing.

Abstract: A V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a straddle-type vehicle includes a measurement plate for a rotational speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a primary sheave shaft to control a speed change ratio. The measurement plate is disposed on an opposite end of the primary sheave shaft, to one end of which a driving force of an engine is input, with respect to a primary sheave.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has front and rear wheels. An engine unit powers the wheels. The engine unit has an output shaft. A front differential is coupled with the front wheels. The front differential has a front input shaft. A front drive connects the output shaft and the front input shaft with each other. The front differential can operate in one of three modes: an unlocked mode, a locked mode and a disabled mode. A rear differential is coupled with the rear wheels. The rear differential mechanism has a rear input shaft. A rear drive connects the output shaft and the rear input shaft. The rear differential can operated in at least two modes: an unlocked mode and a locked mode. In one embodiment, the front differential is allowed to be locked only when the rear differential is locked.