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: 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: An all terrain or straddle type vehicle is provided with an air intake system having an air intake pipe with reduced length thereby avoiding unnecessary vibration which may adversely affect the fuel-to-air ratio of the engine, thereby improving engine performance. Also an inlet end of the air intake pipe is positioned so that the vehicle's capability for traversing water of a predetermined depth is improved. The height of the inlet end of the intake pipe is greater than the predetermined depth of the water to protect against water entering the air intake pipe due to encountering a water wave created in front of the vehicle that has a depth greater than the predetermined depth of the water. Additionally, openings in rear fenders of the vehicle channel intake air to both a radiator/fan assembly and the air intake system.

Abstract: A system reduces the amount of work exerted by an ATV operator to change transmission gears. The system includes a foot lever assembly with a mechanical portion, such as a mechanical linkage, attached to an automated portion, such as an electrical switch. When the ATV operator applies a predetermined amount of force to the foot lever assembly, a clutch assembly and a gear box are actuated in a single motion, assisted by the automated portion of the foot lever assembly. Thus, the operator is able to exert less work in order to change the gears.

Abstract: A system reduces the amount of work exerted by an ATV operator to change transmission gears. The system includes a foot lever assembly with a mechanical portion, such as a mechanical linkage, attached to an automated portion, such as an electrical switch. When the ATV operator applies a predetermined amount of force to the foot lever assembly, a clutch assembly and a gear box are actuated in a single motion, assisted by the automated portion of the foot lever assembly. Thus, the operator is able to exert less work in order to change the gears.

Abstract: An all terrain or straddle type vehicle is provided with an air intake system having an air intake pipe with reduced length thereby avoiding unnecessary vibration which may adversely affect the fuel-to-air ratio of the engine, thereby improving engine performance. Also an inlet end of the air intake pipe is positioned so that the vehicle's capability for traversing water of a predetermined depth is improved. The height of the inlet end of the intake pipe is greater than the predetermined depth of the water to protect against water entering the air intake pipe due to encountering a water wave created in front of the vehicle that has a depth greater than the predetermined depth of the water. Additionally, openings in rear fenders of the vehicle channel intake air to both a radiator/fan assembly and the air intake system.