Abstract: Multiple protecting devices, such as an air bag and an air bag jacket, are controlled and operated in accordance with the shape and size of an impact. A normal collision determining section causes the air bag and/or the air bag jacket to operate in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a collision based on outputs of G sensors. When a collision predicting section predicts a collision on the basis of other vehicle information obtained by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device and own-vehicle information, it causes a stand-by collision determining section to start instead of the normal collision determining section. The stand-by collision determining section determines a collision mode in advance and sets a threshold value for determining the outputs of the G sensors to a value different from a value used in the determination of the normal collision determining section so as to permit quick determination of a collision.

Abstract: Multiple protecting devices, such as an air bag and an air bag jacket, are controlled and operated in accordance with the shape and size of an impact. A normal collision determining section causes the air bag and/or the air bag jacket to operate in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a collision based on outputs of G sensors. When a collision predicting section predicts a collision on the basis of other vehicle information obtained by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device and own-vehicle information, it causes a stand-by collision determining section to start instead of the normal collision determining section. The stand-by collision determining section determines a collision mode in advance and sets a threshold value for determining the outputs of the G sensors to a value different from a value used in the determination of the normal collision determining section so as to permit quick determination of a collision.

Abstract: A radiator device particularly adapted for use on off-road type vehicles includes a radiator body disposed rearwardly of the seat and spatially offset therefrom. The radiator body is enclosed about its periphery by a shroud that includes laterally extending, air-gathering wings. Fins forming part of a lattice-like grill are inclined in the direction of offset of the radiator body to direct the gathered air into the radiator body.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle contains a floor panel including a first inclined portion facing the seat and forming a foot rest and a second inclined portion disposed adjacent to and facing the seat and having an irregularly formed surface thereon to protect the driver against slipping upon entering and existing the vehicle. The second inclined portion has an angle of inclination less than that of the first inclined portion and has surface irregularities comprising longitudinally spaced flats interconnected by angularly displaced surface sections.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes an engine mounted on a rear portion of a vehicle frame and a recoil starter for starting the engine. The recoil starter has a pulley operatively coupled to the crankshaft of the engine, and a cord member wound around the pulley. The cord member has an outer end extending rearwardly from the recoil starter for allowing the cord member to be easily pulled from behind the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle comprises a frame assembly constructed of a plurality of pipes including at least one lateral pipe extending horizontally and transversely of the vehicle, two front wheel suspensions having respective knuckle arms, two front wheels rotatably supported respectively on the front wheel suspensions, two rear wheels rotatably supported on lateral sides of a rear portion of the frame assembly, an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame assembly for driving the rear wheels, and a steering mechanism having a steering column supporting a central steering arm on a lower end thereof and a central steering handle on an upper end thereof, and tie rods having first ends coupled to the central steering arm and second ends coupled to the knuckle arms, respectively. Also, the central steering arm is located upwardly of the lateral pipe of the frame assembly.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a hydraulic brake operating assembly mounted on a steering handle. The steering handle has a base, a rectangular handle portion integral with the base, and a cover covering the base. The brake operating assembly has a brake oil reservoir, two brake levers pivotally supported on lateral sides of the handle portion for braking front and rear wheels, respectively, and two brake master cylinders communicating with the brake oil reservoir through hoses and responsive to operation of the brake levers for generating hydraulic pressure. The brake oil reservoir is centrally fixedly mounted on the rectangular handle portion. The brake master cylinders are fixedly mounted respectively on the lateral sides of the handle portion.

Abstract: A cooling device is mounted on an off-road vehicle including a vehicle frame having a pair of main pipe members spaced from each other transversely of the vehicle and extending longitudinally of the vehicle, the main pipe members having rear portions joined to each other, a central roll bar mounted on the main pipe members substantially centrally in their longitudinal direction, and a rear roll bar coupled between the rear ends of the main pipe members and the central roll bar, and an engine mounted on a lower portion of the vehicle frame rearwardly of the central roll bar. The cooling device includes a radiator positioned in a space surrounded by the main pipe members, the central roll bar, and the rear roll bar, and mounted on a support pipe extending and joined between the main pipe members. The cooling device also has a shroud attached to the rear surface of the radiator, and a fan motor fixedly accommodated in the shroud.

Abstract: A fuel supply system in an off-road vehicle including front and rear wheels having wide tires, respectively, an engine mounted on a rear portion of a vehicle frame, and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine and disposed on one side of the engine transversely of the vehicle frame. The fuel system comprises a fuel tank assembly disposed on the other side of the engine transversely of the vehicle frame, and an air cleaner case disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly. The vehicle frame comprises a plurality of welded pipe members. The fuel tank assembly has an outer peripheral flange supported at plural locations thereon by at least two of the pipe members of the vehicle frame. The fuel tank assembly has a cap for detachably closing a fuel inlet hole, the cap including a resiliently biased cover swingably mounted on an upper surface for covering a key slot from above.