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: The present disclosure describes vehicle seats having integral components for use with ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating systems. Air ducting can be incorporated into the seat base and the seat back. Further, air can be directed through a rear-facing outlet vent in the seat back, providing improved ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating for rear passengers of a vehicle.

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 vehicle has a frame, at least two wheels, a motor, a straddle seat defining a driver seat portion and a passenger seat portion at least partially rearward of the driver seat portion, left and right passenger footrests connected to the frame, the left and right passenger footrests each being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, a passenger footrest position sensor for sensing a position of at least one of the left and right passenger footrests, and an electronic stability system electronically connected to the passenger footrest position sensor for receiving a signal from the passenger footrest position sensor indicative of the position of the at least one of the left and right passenger footrests. An output of the electronic stability system is defined at least in part on the signal from the passenger footrest position sensor.

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: The present disclosure describes vehicle seats having integral components for use with ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating systems. Air ducting can be incorporated into the seat base and the seat back. Further, air can be directed through a rear-facing outlet vent in the seat back, providing improved ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating for rear passengers of a vehicle.

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 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: Disclosed is a vehicle including a frame, a vehicle body, a motor connected to the frame, left and right suspensions, left and right wheels operatively connected to the left and right suspensions, each wheel having a rim and a tire mounted on the rim, both wheels being outside the vehicle body, and left and right fenders. Each fender includes an arcuate outer wall adapted for extending over at least a portion of an upper part of the tire of its corresponding wheel and a side wall having an outer portion extending from an edge of the outer wall, the outer portion covering at least a portion of a sidewall of the tire on a vehicle facing side, and an inner portion extending from the outer portion, the inner portion covering at least a portion of the rim of its corresponding wheel on the vehicle facing side.

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 vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members, a steering assembly for steering the vehicle, an internal combustion engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). An engine air intake system provides air to the engine and includes a first air inlet facing generally forwardly and a first rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the first air inlet. The first rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with an engine air inlet. A CVT air intake system provides air to the CVT and includes a second air inlet facing generally forwardly and a second rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the second air inlet. The second rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with a cooling air inlet of the CVT. The engine is disposed at least in part laterally between the first and second rearwardly-extending conduit portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle including a frame, a vehicle body, a motor connected to the frame, left and right suspensions, left and right wheels operatively connected to the left and right suspensions, each wheel having a rim and a tire mounted on the rim, both wheels being outside the vehicle body, and left and right fenders. Each fender includes an arcuate outer wall adapted for extending over at least a portion of an upper part of the tire of its corresponding wheel and a side wall having an outer portion extending from an edge of the outer wall, the outer portion covering at least a portion of a sidewall of the tire on a vehicle facing side, and an inner portion extending from the outer portion, the inner portion covering at least a portion of the rim of its corresponding wheel on the vehicle facing side.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least two wheels, a motor, a straddle seat defining a driver seat portion and a passenger seat portion at least partially rearward of the driver seat portion, left and right passenger footrests connected to the frame, the left and right passenger footrests each being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, a passenger footrest position sensor for sensing a position of at least one of the left and right passenger footrests, and an electronic stability system electronically connected to the passenger footrest position sensor for receiving a signal from the passenger footrest position sensor indicative of the position of the at least one of the left and right passenger footrests. An output of the electronic stability system is defined at least in part on the signal from the passenger footrest position sensor.

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.