Abstract: The present invention provides a system for mounting a windshield onto small vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles or other similar vehicles. The mounting system generally comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them being adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and comprising a receiving cavity. The mounting system also comprises a windshield support frame which is adapted to support a windshield panel and which also comprises a pair of mounting elements or protuberances receivable in the receiving cavities of the receiving elements. Once the mounting elements are received in the receiving cavities, the frame is fixedly retained on the receiving elements by a pair of locking mechanisms. By a simple actuation of the locking means, the windshield panel and its support frame can easily be installed or removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for mounting a windshield onto small vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles or other similar vehicles. The mounting system generally comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them being adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and comprising a receiving cavity. The mounting system also comprises a windshield support frame which is adapted to support a windshield panel and which also comprises a pair of mounting elements or protuberances receivable in the receiving cavities of the receiving elements. Once the mounting elements are received in the receiving cavities, the frame is fixedly retained on the receiving elements by a pair of locking means. By a simple actuation of the locking means, the windshield panel and its support frame can easily be installed or removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a subtransmission detachably fastened to an engine casing. The engine crankshaft includes a drive pulley connected via a belt to a driven pulley in the subtransmission, thus providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) between the engine crankshaft and the subtransmission. The subtransmission includes a 2WD-4WD selector mechanism to select two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and also includes a transmission selector mechanism to put the vehicle in park, neutral, reverse, high-speed drive or low-speed drive. By disposing these selector mechanisms in the subtransmission, mass centralization is improved relative to prior-art drivetrains wherein the 2WD-4WD selector mechanism connects to the front differential. When operating in 2WD mode, the drivetrain does not waste energy rotating the front drive shaft, as in the prior art.

Abstract: A vehicle has a transmission detachably connected to an engine casing. The engine crankshaft includes a drive pulley connected via a belt to a driven pulley in the transmission, thus providing a continuously variable transmission between the engine crankshaft and the transmission. The transmission is operatively connected to a rear drive shaft for delivering torque via a rear differential to the rear wheels and is selectively connected, for four-wheel-drive traction, to a front drive shaft which delivers torque via a front differential to the front wheels. The front drive shaft passes through the engine casing, passing above the oil pan and between the crankshaft counterweights of a piston of the engine.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle with improved stability is provided. The all-terrain vehicle includes a frame that is substantially centered on a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, an engine, a plurality of wheels that are attached to a front axle and a rear axle, a handle bar that is operatively connected to at least two of the wheels, and a straddle seat. A fuel tank is fluidly connected to the engine, and is disposed forward of the rear axle, substantially above a rear suspension pivot point, and below the seat, and is substantially centered on the longitudinal centerline, thereby improving the stability of the all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a subtransmission detachably fastened to an engine casing. The engine crankshaft includes a drive pulley connected via a belt to a driven pulley in the subtransmission, thus providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) between the engine crankshaft and the subtransmission. The subtransmission includes a 2WD-4WD selector mechanism to select two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and also includes a transmission selector mechanism to put the vehicle in park, neutral, reverse, high-speed drive or low-speed drive. By disposing these selector mechanisms in the subtransmission, mass centralization is improved relative to prior-art drivetrains wherein the 2WD-4WD selector mechanism connects to the front differential. When operating in 2WD mode, the drivetrain does not waste energy rotating the front drive shaft, as in the prior art.

Abstract: A brake system is provided for a straddle-type ATV. The brake system includes a brake caliper configured to mount to a gear box of the ATV and a brake disk configured to connect to a coupling member of the gear box coupled to a shaft and positioned in operative relation relative to the caliper. The brake system additionally includes a brake-actuating control mechanism in communication with the brake caliper. The brake-actuating control mechanism controls the brake caliper to provide selective frictional engagement between the brake caliper and the brake disk.

Abstract: A suspension system for an ATV is provided that includes a torsion control mechanism having a left connecting structure and a right connecting structure. The torsion control mechanism defines an axis of rotation passing through the left and right connecting structures. A left swing arm is fixedly connected to the left connecting structure and a right swing arm is fixedly connected to the right connecting structure, such that the right and left swing arms are pivotable about the rotation axis defined by the torsion control mechanism.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle with improved stability is provided. The all-terrain vehicle includes a frame that is substantially centered on a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, an engine, a plurality of wheels that are attached to a front axle and a rear axle, a handle bar that is operatively connected to at least two of the wheels, and a straddle seat. A fuel tank is fluidly connected to the engine, and is disposed forward of the rear axle, substantially above a rear suspension pivot point, and below the seat, and is substantially centered on the longitudinal centerline, thereby improving the stability of the all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is disclosed that includes a frame, a plurality of wheels that are suspended from the frame, and a support that is fixedly attached to the frame. A fender is fixedly attached to the support and a storage rack disposed above the frame and supported by at least one of the support and the fender. The storage rack includes at least two separate sections.

Abstract: An ATV is provided including a frame structure and a power unit coupled to the frame structure and including a rotatable output shaft extending therefrom. A brake system is coupled to the output shaft and includes a friction member fixedly coupled to the output shaft. A brake pad member is movable relative to the friction member. A lever arm member is pivotably mounted to the power unit between proximal and distal end portions of the lever arm member, the proximal end portion being in engagement with the brake pad member to effect movement thereof. A brake actuating structure is configured to be manually movable and has a wedge member thereon. The wedge member is in engagement with the distal end portion of the lever arm member to effect pivotal movement thereof upon manual displacement of the brake actuating structure.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive straddle-type all-terrain vehicle has a progressive limited-slip differential that functions as an open differential when the wheel speed differential is less than a predetermined threshold, or cutting point, and functions as a progressive limited-slip differential when the wheel speed differential exceeds the cutting point. The progressive limited-slip differential is able to transfer torque to the wheel with greater traction as a generally linear function of the wheel speed differential, meaning that the more one wheel slips with respect to the other, the more torque is transferred from the slipping wheel to the wheel with traction. The progressive limited-slip differential comprises a rotary shear pump that drives a piston against a pack of clutch plates. The force of the piston against the clutch pack locks the left and right axles together to provide optimal traction in slippery conditions.

Abstract: A brake system is provided for a straddle-type ATV. The brake system includes a brake caliper configured to mount to a gear box of the ATV and a brake disk configured to connect to a coupling member of the gear box coupled to a shaft and positioned in operative relation relative to the caliper. The brake system additionally includes a brake-actuating control mechanism in communication with the brake caliper. The brake-actuating control mechanism controls the brake caliper to provide selective frictional engagement between the brake caliper and the brake disk.

Abstract: A suspension system for an ATV is provided that includes a torsion control mechanism having a left connecting structure and a right connecting structure. The torsion control mechanism defines an axis of rotation passing through the left and right connecting structures. A left swing arm is fixedly connected to the left connecting structure and a right swing arm is fixedly connected to the right connecting structure, such that the right and left swing arms are pivotable about the rotation axis defined by the torsion control mechanism.