Abstract: A snowmobile includes a nose cone having an underbelly, first and second side walls and a top cover together defining a substantially conical enclosure for enclosing a forward end of the snowmobile. The top cover includes a pair of air inlets for admitting air into the engine compartment as well as air guides connected to the inlets for directing the air to desired regions of the engine compartment for improving engine performance. The top cover also includes grilles for filtering out snow and other debris. Furthermore, the air guides are designed to suppress engine noise.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski includes front and rear alignment points, which are preferably notches in the outer ribs of each of the skis. The notches facilitate alignment of the skis by receiving the end of a tape measure that is used to measure front and rear distances between corresponding front notches and corresponding rear notches of the skis. In one variant, the notches are equidistant from the skags to further simplify the task of aligning the skis.

Abstract: An adjustable seat for a snowmobile has a base having an upper sitting portion for accommodating a driver and a slidable coupling for sliding the seat relative to a chassis of the snowmobile. The seat is movable between a forward position and a rearward position. Threaded fasteners or other connectors are employed to secure the adjustable seat to the chassis in an ergonomic position. The adjustable seat thus accommodates drivers of different height and/or drivers who adopt different postures when riding by comfortably seating the driver on the sweet spot of the seat regardless of the driver's height or his driving posture.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column comprises a steering column shaft, a handlebar, and an adjustable clamp assembly securing the handlebar to the steering column shaft. The adjustable clamp assembly comprises a handlebar clamp to secure the handlebar to the adjustable clamp assembly. An extension is secured to the handlebar clamp and extends away from the handlebar clamp. The extension has first and second opposing sides. A first clamp surface is attached to the steering column. The first clamp surface is disposed on the first side of the extension. A second clamp surface is disposed on a second side of the vertical extension. The second clamp surface is moveable with respect to the first clamp surface from a first position where the extension is immovable to a second position where the extension is moveable.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column comprises a steering column shaft, a handlebar, and an adjustable clamp assembly securing the handlebar to the steering column shaft. The adjustable clamp assembly comprises a handlebar clamp to secure the handlebar to the adjustable clamp assembly. An extension is secured to the handlebar clamp and extends away from the handlebar clamp. The extension has first and second opposing sides. A first clamp surface is attached to the steering column. The first clamp surface is disposed on the first side of the extension. A second clamp surface is disposed on a second side of the vertical extension. The second clamp surface is moveable with respect to the first clamp surface from a first position where the extension is immovable to a second position where the extension is moveable.

Abstract: A front suspension system for a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile has a lower A-arm assembly and an upper suspension arm for connecting each front ski to the chassis of the recreational vehicle. The lower A-arm restrains the front ski from moving backward or laterally while the upper arm connects to the top of the spindle to ensure that the spindle remains substantially vertical when the front ski encounters a bump.

Abstract: A foothold assembly for a snowmobile having a tunnel and footrests extending from either side of the tunnel for receiving feet of a driver thereon. The foothold assembly comprises a foothold member adapted for receiving a foot of the driver therein. The foothold member is longitudinally displaceable relative to the footrests and is removably fastenable in place thereon.

Abstract: A swing arm for a snowmobile has an upwardly curved, stepped, or angled intermediate portion that increases the swing arm's ground clearance relative to conventional, straight swing arms. The increased ground clearance permits more snow and other elements to pass underneath the swing without contacting the swing arm.