Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, at least one direct fuel injector for injecting fuel directly in the at least one combustion chamber, at least one port fuel injector for injecting fuel upstream of the at least one combustion chamber, and at least one exhaust valve. The method has the steps of supplying a first fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber, a first ratio of the first fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector; and supplying a second fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber when a position of the at least one exhaust valve changes, a second ratio of the second fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector, the second ratio being different from the first ratio.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission is disclosed. When a driven pulley speed is less than a predetermined driven pulley speed and an actual engine speed is less than an engine speed causing a driving pulley speed to be a driving pulley engagement speed: controlling the engine to increase the actual engine speed to increase the driving pulley speed to be at least the driving pulley engagement speed. When the driven pulley speed is above the predetermined driven pulley speed, the actual engine speed is greater than the engine speed causing the driving pulley speed to be the driving pulley engagement speed, and the desired engine speed is less than the engine speed causing the driving pulley speed to be the driving pulley engagement speed: controlling the engine to operate under conditions corresponding to an engine braking speed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame, a ski connected to the frame, a seat connected to the frame for accommodating a driver of the snowmobile, a rear suspension assembly operatively connected to the frame, an endless track supported by the rear suspension assembly, a motor supported by the frame, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the motor to the endless track. The rear suspension assembly has a suspension assembly drive axle defining a drive axle rotation axis, and a drive sprocket mounted to the drive axle. The motor has a shaft rotatable about a shaft rotation axis. The drive axle rotation axis is positioned forwardly of the shaft rotation axis. The seat is positioned above the motor.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a tunnel having an inverted U-shape, having top, left side and right side portions which at least partly enclose a space. A drive track is disposed around a rear suspension assembly and at least in part in the space. A first heat exchanger has a heat exchanger liquid inlet and outlet. The heat exchanger liquid outlet fluidly communicates with the heat exchanger liquid inlet and with an engine liquid inlet. The first heat exchanger forms part of the top portion and is operable to dissipate heat toward the space from liquid passing therethrough. A second heat exchanger has a heat exchanger air inlet and outlet. The heat exchanger air outlet fluidly communicates with the heat exchanger air inlet and with the engine air inlet. The second heat exchanger forms part of the top portion and is operable to dissipate heat toward the space from air passing therethrough.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a frame, a motor, an endless track and a straddle seat. A left and a right footrest are each connected to the frame extend laterally outwardly therefrom. The footrests extend generally horizontally and are disposed vertically lower than the straddle seat for supporting a left foot of the driver. The left footrest is disposed on a left side of the snowmobile and the right footrest is disposed on a right side thereof. A left toe hold disposed above the left footrest is supported at an inner portion thereof and extends laterally outwardly therefrom to an outer portion thereof, the outer portion of the left toe hold being freely suspended. A right toe hold disposed above the right footrest is supported at an inner portion thereof and extending laterally outwardly therefrom to an outer portion thereof, the outer portion of the right toe hold being freely suspended.

Abstract: A stackable container assembly has a base container and an accessory container selectively connected to a top surface of the base container such that the accessory container is stacked on top of the base container. The base container has a container body has a bottom surface adapted for connecting the base container to a vehicle; a tongue connected to the container body and being adapted for inserting into a first vehicle anchor fixture connected to the vehicle; and an anchor connected to the container body and being adapted for inserting into a second vehicle anchor fixture. The anchor has an anchor base and an anchor lock extending from the anchor base. The anchor lock is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the anchor base between a locked position and an unlocked position. A container and a vehicle provided with the stackable container assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, a motor, a driveshaft operatively connected to the motor, a front differential operatively connected to the driveshaft, a pair of front half-shafts operatively connecting the front differential to front wheels, at least one rear wheel, a steering wheel, a steering column operatively connected to the steering wheel, a rack and pinion assembly operatively connected to the steering column, the rack and pinion assembly being disposed rearward of the front differential, a right tie rod having a left end operatively connected to a rack of the rack and pinion assembly and a right end operatively connected to the right wheel, and a left tie rod having a right end operatively connected to the rack and a left end operatively connected to the left wheel. The inner ends of the tie rods are disposed forwardly of a vertically and laterally extending central plane of the rack.

Abstract: There is provided a snowmobile that has a frame having a longitudinally extending tunnel, a steering assembly operatively connected to the frame, at least one ski operatively connected to the frame and to the steering assembly, an endless drive track operatively connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and is operatively connected to the steering assembly and to the endless drive track for propelling the snowmobile, a straddle-type seat disposed above the tunnel and adapted to accommodate a rider, and a flap assembly. The flap assembly has a flap, a mounting body connected to a rear portion of the tunnel, and at least one toolless fastener extending generally longitudinally and selectively connecting the flap to the mounting body. There is also provided a flap assembly kit for a snowmobile and a method for installing a flap on a rear portion of a tunnel of a snowmobile.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, driver and passenger seats, two front and two rear suspension assemblies, two front and two rear wheels, and a motor operatively connected to at least two of the wheels. Each rear suspension assembly has a trailing arm having a front end pivotally connected to the frame, a knuckle pivotally connected to a rear portion of the trailing arm, a link having a laterally outward end pivotally connected to the trailing arm and the knuckle and a laterally inward end pivotally connected to the frame, and a fastener fastening the laterally outward end of the link, the knuckle and the trailing arm together.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping an object having an aperture therethrough to a member is disclosed. The clamp passes through the aperture when clamping the object to the member. The clamp has a head portion defining a channel adapted for receiving an edge of the aperture; a body portion extending from the head portion; and a tail portion extending from the body portion. The tail portion has a member contacting surface shaped for wrapping around at least a portion of a perimeter of the member. A vehicle having a windshield clamped to a frame member using at least one such clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members, a steering assembly for steering the vehicle, an internal combustion engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). An engine air intake system provides air to the engine and includes a first air inlet facing generally forwardly and a first rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the first air inlet. The first rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with an engine air inlet. A CVT air intake system provides air to the CVT and includes a second air inlet facing generally forwardly and a second rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the second air inlet. The second rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with a cooling air inlet of the CVT. The engine is disposed at least in part laterally between the first and second rearwardly-extending conduit portions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame; a plurality of ground engaging members; a motor; and at least one seat connected to the frame and being translatable between at least a forward position and a rearward position. The seat includes a seat body defining a belt aperture and a buckle aperture; and a seat belt assembly connected to the frame and including a seat belt extending through the belt aperture and having an end connected to the frame, a male buckle connector slidably connected to the seat belt, and a female buckle receptacle for receiving the male buckle connector, the female buckle receptacle extending through the buckle aperture and having an end connected to the frame, the seat belt assembly being operable with the seat when the seat is in at least both of the forward position and the rearward position.

Abstract: A support structure for mounting an accessory assembly to a vehicle having a mounting surface defining a base mount and at least one brace mount includes a base having a connection portion being selectively connectable to the vehicle, and a support portion. The base is connectable to the accessory assembly. The support structure further includes a brace having a mating portion for engaging the support portion, and at least one arm extending from the mating portion toward the connection portion and away from the base when the mating portion engages the support portion. The at least one arm has a proximal end connected to the mating portion, and a distal end being spaced from the connection portion and being selectively engageable to the vehicle. The support structure further includes a lock selectively locking the mating portion to the base.

Abstract: A tether system for providing power from a vehicle to a garment is presented. The system includes a tether having a first end and a second end, at least one electrical conductor operatively between the first and second ends, and an electrical contact at the second end, the tether being adapted for connecting to the garment at the first end; and a base adapted for mounting to the vehicle, the second end of the tether being selectively connected to the base, the base being adapted for selectively receiving the electrical contact and for providing power to the at least one electrical conductor of the tether via the electrical contact, the base, when mounted to the vehicle, being operative to stop propulsion of the vehicle when the tether is disconnected from the base.

Abstract: A snowmobile having a frame, a seat, at least one ski, a front suspension assembly connected to the frame and the at least one ski, a rear suspension assembly connected to the frame and to an endless track and an engine operatively connected to the frame and the endless track. The frame includes a longitudinal tunnel, an engine cradle connected thereto and extending forwardly therefrom. A front suspension module connected to the engine cradle and extending forwardly therefrom, is connected to the front suspension assembly. A forward support, connected either to the front suspension module or the engine cradle, extends rearwardly and upwardly therefrom. A fuel tank connected to the tunnel extends forwardly and upwardly from the tunnel to the forward support so as to form a structural connection between the tunnel and the forward support for transmitting loads therebetween. Frames for the snowmobile are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a forced induction engine includes: determining a first air pressure upstream of an air compressor, the air compressor supplying compressed air to the engine; determining a second air pressure downstream of the air compressor; determining a limit air flow rate to the engine corresponding to the surge limit of the air compressor based at least in part on the first and second air pressures; and controlling a throttle valve actuator to position the throttle valve at a position providing an air flow rate that is greater than or equal to the limit air flow rate. A vehicle power pack having a control unit implementing the method and a vehicle having the vehicle power pack are also disclosed.