Abstract: A steering system for a snowmobile includes a handlebar assembly and a steering column that has an upper end coupled to the handlebar assembly. An electronic steering assist unit is coupled to the steering column between upper and lower posts of the steering column. A steering arm assembly is coupled to a lower end of the lower post. First and second tie rods respectively couple the steering arm assembly to first and second ski assemblies such that turning the handlebar assembly, together with the assistance of the electronic steering assist unit, causes the ski assemblies to pivot. A floating mounting system couples the electronic steering assist unit to forward spars of the frame assembly to prevent a torque pre-load on the electronic steering assist unit. The steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A rear member of a running board assembly for a snow vehicle. The rear member includes a transition body positionable adjacent a side wall of a tunnel of the snow vehicle. The transition body comprises a forward end and a rearward end extending upward and rearward therefrom. The rear member further includes a flange extending downward and rearward from the transition body. The flange is positionable adjacent the side wall of the tunnel. The rear member further includes a bumper arm mount positioned at the rearward end of the transition body. The bumper arm mount is engageable with a bumper arm of the snow vehicle.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle may include a track drive protector attached to a bottom-out protector. The track drive protector is configured to mate with the bottom-out protector. A recreational vehicle may further or alternatively include a secondary skid plate attached to the skid plate. The secondary skid plate is configured to mate with the skid plate and/or the forward frame assembly. The track drive protector and the secondary skid plate may provide additional support to the vehicle, help deflect debris away from the underside of the vehicle, and/or absorb impact forces when the vehicle strikes an object.

Abstract: A composite running board for a snow vehicle includes a first side rail a first side rail positionable along an outboard side of a side panel of a snowmobile tunnel and a second side rail positionable outboard of the first side rail adjacent a support member. The second side rail defines one or more retaining features that are engageable with the support member. One or more cross members extend from the first side rail to the second side rail. The first side rail, the second side rail, and the cross members comprise a fiber reinforced polymer.

Abstract: A snow vehicle includes a vehicle body and a member. The vehicle body includes a forward frame and a tunnel. The member includes a tubular support and a first end secured to the forward frame. The forward frame includes a tube extending downward and rearward from a steering column mount. The tube of the forward frame is secured with the tubular support to define a continuous tube extending from the steering column mount to the member.

Abstract: Embodiments include a clutch guard for a CVT in a vehicle, including a shield body, a torque control link section integrated with the shield body and including one or more engine mounting features for securing to an engine, and wherein the torque control link section includes a jackshaft aperture for receiving a jackshaft, and an output shaft clearance component, in contact with the output shaft, and wherein the torque control link portion secures a distance between the shafts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a spindle for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or a side-by-side vehicle. The spindle includes a spine, optionally a front fin that extends from a front surface of the spine, and optionally a rear fin that extends from a back surface of the spine.

Abstract: Embodiments include a recoil housing for an engine in a vehicle. The recoil housing includes a housing portion having one or more engine fastening features, an arm integrated with the housing portion, and a mounting portion integrated with the arm. The mounting portion includes one or more mounting portion features.

Abstract: A support bracket for a tunnel of a snow vehicle includes a body, a first member, and a first flange. The body includes an inboard side and an outboard side. The outboard side of the body is positionable along an inboard surface of a side panel of the tunnel. A first member extends forward from the body, the first member positioned along the inboard surface of the side panel of the tunnel. The first flange extends outboard from the first member. The first flange extends outboard from the side panel to support an inboard portion of a running board. In some embodiments, the support bracket may include a second member and a second flange. The second member extends rearward from the body and is positioned along the inboard surface of the side panel adjacent to an underside of an upper panel of the tunnel. The second flange extends inboard from the second member and is positioned along the underside of the upper panel. The second flange may support one or more components on an exterior surface of the upper panel.

Abstract: A method of assembling two snowmobiles with a common frame includes providing a common forward frame. A first common component is provided and positioned at a first orientation or at a second orientation with respect to the common forward frame. The first common component is secured at the first orientation or at the second orientation. The method includes selecting between a first set of first model components and a second set of second model components and securing the first set of first model components or the second set of second model components.

Abstract: A bottom-out protector for a recreational vehicle that interconnects a plurality of vehicle components together. The bottom-out protector includes a bottom wall, an inboard outer wall extending upward from the bottom wall, an outboard outer wall extending upward from the bottom wall, an outward support member extending outboard from the outboard outer wall, and one or more mounting features for interconnecting the plurality of vehicle components.

Abstract: A toe stop is provided that includes a unitary body. The unitary body includes one or more of a forward wall; an inboard wall extending rearward from the forward wall; and a rearward wall extending upward inward from the inboard wall. A toe pocket is at least partially defined by the forward wall and the inboard wall.

Abstract: Embodiments include a snowmobile comprising a frame and an engine, the engine including a crankcase mounted to the frame with a crankshaft axis of rotation positioned perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the frame. The crankcase includes a cast lower surface comprising a first structural wall extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline and a second structural wall extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline. The lower cast surface further includes a panel extending between the first structural wall and the second structural wall, the panel defining a curved surface and a mounting surface extending from the first structural wall and across at least a first portion of the panel. The snowmobile further comprises an engine mount connected to the frame comprising a housing and a damper.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski steerably secured to a front of the chassis, and a skid frame having a rear suspension and one or more slide rails. The rear suspension includes a flexible, composite member affixed on a first end to the one or more slide rails and on a second end to the chassis, wherein the flexible, composite member includes a main body and a secondary body.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski steerably secured to a front of the chassis, and a skid frame having a rear suspension and one or more slide rails. The rear suspension includes a flexible, composite member affixed on a first end to the one or more slide rails and on a second end to the chassis, wherein the flexible, composite member includes a main body and a secondary body.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices and techniques for improved handlebar risers. According to various aspects of this disclosure, a handlebar riser includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first steering column mounting channel, and a first handlebar mounting channel. The second component includes a second steering column mounting channel, and a second handlebar mounting channel. The first component and second component are sized, shaped, and arranged such that when respective abutment surfaces of the first and second components are placed together, the first and second steering column mounting channel form a first channel that substantially surrounds at least part of a vehicle steering column, and the first and second handlebar mounting channel forms a second channel that substantially surrounds at least part of a vehicle handlebar. The first and second components are mechanically coupleable to one another.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.