Abstract: A vehicle has a cargo bed including a tailgate that is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position of the tailgate, an inner side of the tailgate defines an internal space of the cargo bed together with a front wall, a left side wall and a right side wall of the cargo bed. The tailgate has an inner flat surface disposed on the inner side and an outer flat surface disposed on an outer side of the tailgate. The inner and outer flat surfaces are parallel and are made of a material that is more rigid than a material of a remainder of the tailgate. In the open position of the tailgate, the inner and outer flat surfaces extend generally horizontally and the outer flat surface is disposed below the inner flat surface in order to define a clamping zone along the tailgate.

Abstract: A vehicle has a cargo bed and first and second support holders disposed below the cargo bed. Each of the first and second support holders defines at least in part an opening for inserting first and second elongate supports therethrough respectively. The first and second support holders are oriented such that the first and second elongate supports are inserted from a common side of the cargo bed into the openings of the first and second support holders. The opening of each of the first support holder and of each of the second support holder is shaped to match a cross-sectional profile of a corresponding one of the first and second elongate supports such that, in use, the first support holder and the second support holder at least partially surround part of the first and second elongate supports respectively to hold the first and second elongate supports in place.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a driver seat connected to a frame of the vehicle and disposed in a cockpit area; a dashboard disposed in front of the driver seat; a cargo bed supported by the frame and having a front wall, left and right walls and a cargo bed supporting surface surrounded in part by the front, left and right walls, the front wall having a movable portion that is movable to selectively cover a pass-through opening that communicates an internal space of the cargo bed to the cockpit area; and an extension receptacle disposed in the cockpit area, the extension receptacle being aligned with (i) the dashboard in a longitudinal direction and (ii) the pass-through opening in a lateral direction, the extension receptacle being configured to receive items therein that are inserted from the cargo bed through the pass-through opening and into the cockpit area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) operatively connected to the CVT, the DCT includes a clutch input member operatively connected to a driven pulley of the CVT to be driven thereby; a first clutch; a second clutch; a first shaft operatively connected to the first clutch, the first clutch being selectively actuated to couple the first shaft to the clutch input member; a second shaft operatively connected to the second clutch, the second clutch being selectively actuated to couple the second shaft to the clutch input member; at least one first driving member mounted to the first shaft; at least one second driving member mounted to the second shaft; and an output shaft operatively connecting the at least one first driving member and the at least one second driving member to at least one ground-engaging member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to an engine, the CVT being disposed on a right side of the engine. A sub-transmission is operatively connected to the CVT and includes: an output shaft rotatable about an output shaft axis; a plurality of sub-transmission driven members mounted to the output shaft and operatively connected to the CVT, the plurality of sub-transmission driven members including a first sub-transmission driven member and a second sub-transmission driven member; a shifter selectively drivingly engaging the first sub-transmission driven member and the second sub-transmission driven member with the output shaft; and a sub-transmission driving member mounted to the output shaft and rotatable therewith. One of a differential assembly and a spool operatively connects the sub-transmission driving member to at least one ground-engaging member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) operatively connected to the CVT, the DCT includes a clutch input member operatively connected to a driven pulley of the CVT to be driven thereby; a first clutch; a second clutch; a first shaft operatively connected to the first clutch, the first clutch being selectively actuated to couple the first shaft to the clutch input member; a second shaft operatively connected to the second clutch, the second clutch being selectively actuated to couple the second shaft to the clutch input member; at least one first driving member mounted to the first shaft; at least one second driving member mounted to the second shaft; and an output shaft operatively connecting the at least one first driving member and the at least one second driving member to at least one ground-engaging member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The DCT includes first and second clutches; a first shaft operatively connected to the first clutch, the first clutch being selectively actuated to couple the first shaft to a clutch input member; a second shaft operatively connected to the second clutch, the second clutch being selectively actuated to couple the second shaft to the clutch input member; first and second driving members mounted to the first and second shafts respectively; and an output shaft operatively connecting the first and second driving members to a ground-engaging member of the vehicle. The method includes determining if the vehicle is substantially stationary; and in response to being substantially stationary, actuating the first and second clutches to cause simultaneous driving engagement of both the first and second shafts with the output shaft to thereby lock the output shaft.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a two-stroke engine having an electronic reverse function so that a crankshaft can be selectively rotated in forward and reverse rotation directions. A gearbox has a first shaft coupled to a countershaft, a second shaft extending parallel to the first shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form high and low gear pairings. A shifter is operable for selectively operating the gearbox in one of a high gear, a low gear and a neutral gear. The engine is selectively operable in the forward and reverse rotation directions while the gearbox is operated in at least one of the high gear, the low gear and the neutral gear.

Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle includes: a housing; first and second shafts extending parallel to one another; first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft; and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The transmission gears are helical gears. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form a plurality of gear pairings engageable to operate the gearbox in different gears. A drive gear is mounted to an input shaft extending into the housing. The input shaft is operatively connected to an engine of the vehicle. A driven gear is mounted to the second shaft and is configured to engage the drive gear. The drive and driven gears are spur gears. A flexible driving member is configured to drivingly connect one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an output shaft. A snowmobile including a gearbox is also contemplated.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a gearbox having a first shaft, a second shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. A driven gear mounted to the first shaft engages a forward drive gear mounted to a countershaft. In a first configuration: the first shaft is coupled to the countershaft; when rotating, a driveshaft rotates in a same direction as the countershaft; and configurable portions of the countershaft and second shaft are free of gears. In a second configuration: the forward drive gear is in selective free-spin engagement with the countershaft; a reverse drive gear mounted to the configurable portion of the countershaft is in driving engagement with the countershaft; an actuator selectively transmits rotary motion from the countershaft to the gearbox; a reverse driven gear mounted to the configurable portion of the second shaft meshes with the reverse drive gear.

Abstract: A drive track for a tracked vehicle has an endless belt having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a plurality of lugs projecting from the outer surface, a plurality of stiffening rods extending laterally in the endless belt, and a plurality of rib segments disposed on the outer surface of the endless belt. The plurality of rib segments extends in a longitudinal direction around an entirety of the endless belt. The rib segments are laterally aligned with each other. Each rib segment of the plurality of rib segment has a height and a width. The height is greater than the width. At least some longitudinally consecutive rib segments of the plurality of rib segments are connected to each other by a corresponding lug of the plurality of lugs disposed longitudinally between the longitudinally consecutive of rib segments. A vehicle with drive track is also described.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a two-stroke engine having an electronic reverse function so that a crankshaft can be selectively rotated in forward and reverse rotation directions. A gearbox has a first shaft coupled to a countershaft, a second shaft extending parallel to the first shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form high and low gear pairings. A shifter is operable for selectively operating the gearbox in one of a high gear, a low gear and a neutral gear. The engine is selectively operable in the forward and reverse rotation directions while the gearbox is operated in at least one of the high gear, the low gear and the neutral gear.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a gearbox having a first shaft, a second shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. A driven gear mounted to the first shaft engages a forward drive gear mounted to a countershaft. In a first configuration: the first shaft is coupled to the countershaft; when rotating, a driveshaft rotates in a same direction as the countershaft; and configurable portions of the countershaft and second shaft are free of gears. In a second configuration: the forward drive gear is in selective free-spin engagement with the countershaft; a reverse drive gear mounted to the configurable portion of the countershaft is in driving engagement with the countershaft; an actuator selectively transmits rotary motion from the countershaft to the gearbox; a reverse driven gear mounted to the configurable portion of the second shaft meshes with the reverse drive gear.

Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle includes: a housing; first and second shafts extending parallel to one another; first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft; and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The transmission gears are helical gears. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form a plurality of gear pairings engageable to operate the gearbox in different gears. A drive gear is mounted to an input shaft extending into the housing. The input shaft is operatively connected to an engine of the vehicle. A driven gear is mounted to the second shaft and is configured to engage the drive gear. The drive and driven gears are spur gears. A flexible driving member is configured to drivingly connect one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an output shaft. A snowmobile including a gearbox is also contemplated.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a frame; a suspension assembly; an engine; a drive axle and a drive sprocket and drive track assembly of a tracked vehicle. The drive sprocket includes a wheel mounted on the drive axle, the wheel having a wheel radius; and a plurality of teeth being distributed on a periphery of the wheel, the drive track connected by the suspension assembly, the drive sprocket driving the drive track about the suspension assembly to propel the tracked vehicle. The drive track includes an endless belt having an inner and an outer surface, the belt defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; and external lugs projecting outwards from the outer surface of the belt, each of the external lugs having a height in a direction normal to the outer surface, the wheel radius being smaller than the height of at least some of the external lugs.

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 snowmobile includes a frame with a tunnel, a fuel tank disposed thereon and an engine connected thereto. A throttle body fluidly communicates with the engine. A throttle valve is disposed in the throttle body for regulating fluid flow through the throttle body into the engine, a position of the throttle valve being movable between an open position and a closed position. A throttle operator connected to the frame to control the position of throttle valve is moveable between an idle position and a drive position. A throttle valve actuator operatively connected to the throttle valve and the throttle operator controls a position of the throttle valve based at least in part on the throttle operator position, the throttle valve actuator being an electric throttle valve actuator and disposed longitudinally between the fuel tank and the engine. Vehicles and methods of operating the vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, and an engine and a steering assembly including a handlebar 5 connected to the frame. The laterally extending handlebar defines a handlebar axis. A throttle body, in fluid communication with the engine, has a throttle valve having open and closed positions for controlling fluid flow to the engine. A throttle control module, controlling the position of the throttle valve, comprises a housing rotatably connected to the handlebar and a lever operatively connected to the throttle valve to control its position. The lever extends 10 laterally from the housing and connects pivotably thereto. The pivot axis is perpendicular to the handlebar axis and spaced from the handlebar. The lever pivots between an idle and drive position.

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 snowmobile includes a frame; a suspension assembly; an engine; a drive axle and a drive sprocket and drive track assembly of a tracked vehicle. The drive sprocket includes a wheel mounted on the drive axle, the wheel having a wheel radius; and a plurality of teeth being distributed on a periphery of the wheel, the drive track connected by the suspension assembly, the drive sprocket driving the drive track about the suspension assembly to propel the tracked vehicle. The drive track includes an endless belt having an inner and an outer surface, the belt defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; and external lugs projecting outwards from the outer surface of the belt, each of the external lugs having a height in a direction normal to the outer surface, the wheel radius being smaller than the height of at least some of the external lugs.