Abstract: A method for assembling a motorcycle of a family of motorcycles, including selecting the motorcycle of the family of motorcycles to be assembled; in response to selecting the first motorcycle: selecting a first suspension package from a group of suspension packages; attaching the first suspension package to the core assembly; selecting a first ergonomic package from a group of ergonomic packages; and attaching the first ergonomic package to the core assembly; and in response to selecting the second motorcycle: selecting a second suspension package from the group of suspension packages; attaching the second suspension package to the core assembly; selecting a second ergonomic package from the group of ergonomic packages; and attaching the second ergonomic package to the core assembly, the first motorcycle being different from the second motorcycle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.

Abstract: A footrest assembly for mounting to a vehicle rail. A position of the assembly along the rail is adjustable. A footrest is connected to a rail mount to be pivotable about a footrest pivot axis between an adjustment position allowing adjustment of the assembly along the rail and a locked position. A clamping member, movable by the footrest relative to the rail mount, is in a releasing position when the footrest is in the adjustment position and in a clamping position when the footrest is in the locked position. When the clamping member is in the clamping position and the assembly is mounted to the rail, a portion of the clamping member and a portion of the rail mount are disposed on opposite sides of the rail and the clamping member applies a clamping pressure to the rail. The locked position sets the position of the assembly along the rail.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame including a lower frame portion made from a first material and an upper frame portion made from a second material different from the first material, a center of gravity of the upper frame portion being above a center of gravity of the lower frame portion, at least one front suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one front ground engaging member connected to the front suspension systems, at least one rear suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one rear ground engaging member operatively connected to the rear suspension system, a power pack connected to and supported by the lower frame portion, a seat connected to and supported by at least one of the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, and at least one body panel connected to and supported by the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle includes a swing arm having a proximal end configured to be pivotally connected to a frame of the vehicle, and a distal end configured to support a ground-engaging member of the vehicle. The suspension assembly also includes a rocker link pivotally connected to the swing arm about a rocker link pivot axis from which first and second portions of the rocker link extend in divergent directions. The suspension assembly also includes a linking arm configured to be pivotally connected to the frame, and pivotally connected to the first portion of the rocker link. The suspension assembly also includes a shock absorber that is at least one of: pivotally connected to the linking arm, and configured to be pivotally connected to the frame. The shock absorber is pivotally connected to the second portion of the rocker link.

Abstract: A method and system for assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles includes providing a group of engines. A first engine including a first number of cylinders corresponds to a first vehicle. A second engine including a second number of cylinders corresponds to a second vehicle. The second number is greater than the first number which is at least one. A cylinder plane extends vertically and longitudinally. At least one cylinder is disposed at least partly forward of a front wheel plane. The transmission assembly is rearward of the selected engine and one of the transmission assembly and the selected engine is in a same location whether the selected engine is the first or the second. The seat is at least in part longitudinally rearward of the transmission assembly. The selected engine is laterally disposed between the centers of the footrests.

Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle frame, two front wheels, a rear wheel. An engine with at least one cylinder is mounted to the vehicle frame such that a cylinder plane extends generally longitudinally and vertically. At least a portion of the at least one cylinder is disposed forward of a front wheel plane. A transmission assembly disposed longitudinally rearward of the engine. A straddle seat is disposed at least in part longitudinally rearward of the assembly. The engine is entirely disposed between a center of the left footrest and a center of the right footrest in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame; two front ground-engaging members connected to the frame; a rear ground-engaging member connected to the frame; an engine supported by the frame; a powertrain operatively connecting the engine to the rear ground-engaging member; a seat connected to the frame; an exhaust system connected to the engine and supported by the frame; a swing arm operatively connecting the rear ground-engaging member to the frame; and a rear suspension operatively connected between the swing arm and the frame. The seat is positioned at least partially above the swing arm. The exhaust system is positioned at least partially below the swing arm. Each of the rear suspension and the powertrain is at least partially concealed by the swing arm from at least two of a top, a left side or a right side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for a vehicle includes a shaft adapted for operatively connecting to a motor of the vehicle. The shaft including a threaded end portion, and a splined portion including a plurality of external splines; an integral braking hub disposed on and connected to the shaft; a wheel fastened to the integral braking hub by a plurality of fasteners; and a nut fastened to the threaded end portion of the shaft, the wheel being disposed between the nut and the brake disc portion in an axial direction of the shaft. The integral braking hub includes a central hub portion including a plurality of internal splines and a brake disc portion extending radially from the central hub portion, the brake disc portion being integral with the central hub portion and the central hub portion or the brake disc portion defining a plurality of through-holes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame; two front ground-engaging members connected to the frame; a rear ground-engaging member connected to the frame; an engine supported by the frame; a powertrain operatively connecting the engine to the rear ground-engaging member; a seat connected to the frame; an exhaust system connected to the engine and supported by the frame; a swing arm operatively connecting the rear ground-engaging member to the frame; and a rear suspension operatively connected between the swing arm and the frame. The seat is positioned at least partially above the swing arm. The exhaust system is positioned at least partially below the swing arm. Each of the rear suspension and the powertrain is at least partially concealed by the swing arm from at least two of a top, a left side or a right side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle includes a swing arm having a proximal end configured to be pivotally connected to a frame of the vehicle, and a distal end configured to support a ground-engaging member of the vehicle. The suspension assembly also includes a rocker link pivotally connected to the swing arm about a rocker link pivot axis from which first and second portions of the rocker link extend in divergent directions. The suspension assembly also includes a linking arm configured to be pivotally connected to the frame, and pivotally connected to the first portion of the rocker link. The suspension assembly also includes a shock absorber that is at least one of: pivotally connected to the linking arm, and configured to be pivotally connected to the frame. The shock absorber is pivotally connected to the second portion of the rocker link.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame including a lower frame portion made from a first material and an upper frame portion made from a second material different from the first material, a center of gravity of the upper frame portion being above a center of gravity of the lower frame portion, at least one front suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one front ground engaging member connected to the front suspension systems, at least one rear suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one rear ground engaging member operatively connected to the rear suspension system, a power pack connected to and supported by the lower frame portion, a seat connected to and supported by at least one of the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, and at least one body panel connected to and supported by the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.

Abstract: A footrest assembly for mounting to a vehicle rail. A position of the assembly along the rail is adjustable. A footrest is connected to a rail mount to be pivotable about a footrest pivot axis between an adjustment position allowing adjustment of the assembly along the rail and a locked position. A clamping member, movable by the footrest relative to the rail mount, is in a releasing position when the footrest is in the adjustment position and in a clamping position when the footrest is in the locked position. When the clamping member is in the clamping position and the assembly is mounted to the rail, a portion of the clamping member and a portion of the rail mount are disposed on opposite sides of the rail and the clamping member applies a clamping pressure to the rail. The locked position sets the position of the assembly along the rail.

Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle frame, two front wheels, a rear wheel. An engine with at least one cylinder is mounted to the vehicle frame such that a cylinder plane extends generally longitudinally and vertically. At least a portion of the at least one cylinder is disposed forward of a front wheel plane. A transmission assembly disposed longitudinally rearward of the engine. A straddle seat is disposed at least in part longitudinally rearward of the assembly. The engine is entirely disposed between a center of the left footrest and a center of the right footrest in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A method and system for assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles includes providing a group of engines. A first engine including a first number of cylinders corresponds to a first vehicle. A second engine including a second number of cylinders corresponds to a second vehicle. The second number is greater than the first number which is at least one. A cylinder plane extends vertically and longitudinally. At least one cylinder is disposed at least partly forward of a front wheel plane. The transmission assembly is rearward of the selected engine and one of the transmission assembly and the selected engine is in a same location whether the selected engine is the first or the second. The seat is at least in part longitudinally rearward of the transmission assembly. The selected engine is laterally disposed between the centers of the footrests.

Abstract: A swing arm for a vehicle includes a left member including at least one left tube extending longitudinally and a right member including at least one right tube extending longitudinally. Respective front end portions of the left and right members are adapted to be pivotably connected to a frame of the vehicle. Respective rear end portions of the left and right members are adapted to mount a rear wheel axle. A cross member extends laterally between the left and right members and includes a stamped first portion being rigidly connected to at least one of the left and right members. A stamped second portion of the cross member is rigidly connected to at least the other of the left and right members. The first and second portions are connected to each other and define a space therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle swing arm has longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart left and right members, with front end portions adapted to be pivotably connected to a vehicle frame. A left and a right axle holder are connected respectively to a rear end portion of the left and right members, and adapted to receive laterally therethrough, a left and right end portion respectively of a laterally extending axle. A left and right axle adjuster, slidably disposed at least in part inside the left and right axle holder respectively, are adapted to hold the corresponding end portion of the axle extending therethrough. At least a portion of each axle adjuster is slidable in an axle adjustment direction perpendicular to the axle. A left and right fender mounting bracket are respectively connected to the left and right axle holder and adapted to be connected to a corresponding side of a fender.

Abstract: A swing arm for a vehicle includes a left member including at least one left tube extending longitudinally and a right member including at least one right tube extending longitudinally. Respective front end portions of the left and right members are adapted to be pivotably connected to a frame of the vehicle. Respective rear end portions of the left and right members are adapted to mount a rear wheel axle. A cross member extends laterally between the left and right members and includes a stamped first portion being rigidly connected to at least one of the left and right members. A stamped second portion of the cross member is rigidly connected to at least the other of the left and right members. The first and second portions are connected to each other and define a space therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle swing arm has longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart left and right members, with front end portions adapted to be pivotably connected to a vehicle frame. A left and a right axle holder are connected respectively to a rear end portion of the left and right members, and adapted to receive laterally therethrough, a left and right end portion respectively of a laterally extending axle. A left and right axle adjuster, slidably disposed at least in part inside the left and right axle holder respectively, are adapted to hold the corresponding end portion of the axle extending therethrough. At least a portion of each axle adjuster is slidable in an axle adjustment direction perpendicular to the axle. A left and right fender mounting bracket are respectively connected to the left and right axle holder and adapted to be connected to a corresponding side of a fender.