Abstract: A snowmobile footrest adapted to be disposed on a side of a snowmobile tunnel includes a plurality of interconnected ribs. At least one first rib extending in a first direction includes an upper first rib surface and a lower first rib surface defining a first rib height therebetween. A pair of vertical first rib surfaces, extending generally in a vertical direction between the upper and lower first rib surfaces, define a first rib thickness therebetween. The first rib height is greater than the first rib thickness. At least one second rib is connected to the at least one first rib. Each second rib extends in a second direction, the second direction being at an angle with respect to the first direction. The at least one first rib and the at least one second rib define at least one space therebetween. Snowmobiles having the footrests are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a pair of slide rails and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to a tunnel. A shock absorber is adapted to be pivotally connected between the tunnel and the slide rails. A limiter strap, adapted to extend between the tunnel and the slide rails, is substantially inextensible to limit separation therebetween. A strap holder, connected between an end of the limiter strap and the slide rails or the tunnel when the at least one suspension arm is connected to the tunnel, is moveable between a first and a second strap holder position. A position of the end of the limiter strap, relative to the slide rails or the tunnel, is different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A method of adjusting the limiter strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a first and second suspension arms, a pair of slide rails pivotally connected to lower ends of the suspension arms and at least one shock absorber, a pair of extension arms pivotally connected to a rear portion of the pair of slide rails about a lateral axis and being pivotable between raised 5 and lowered positions about the lateral axis, a pair of rear idler wheels rotationally connected to a rear portion of the pair of extension arms, and at least one spring biasing the pair of extension arms toward the lowered position. At least a portion of at least one of the suspension arms is pivotable about a longitudinally extending axis relative to the pair of slide rails. A snowmobile having the rear suspension, a method 10 of replacing the slide rails of the rear suspension and a slide rails replacement kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable handlebar riser assembly has an outer member, an inner member, a pin, a retainer member and a locking member. The inner member and the outer member have mating flat-bottom V-shaped faces. The inner member slides at least in part within the outer member. Each of the outer and inner members has at least one aperture through their flat-bottom V-shaped faces. The pin is inserted in an aperture of the outer member and in an aperture of the inner member. The retaining member is connected to the pin at one end while the locking member is connected to an opposed end of the pin. The locking member can exert a tension on the pin, pressing the outer member onto the inner member for locking these members at a selected position relative to one another.

Abstract: A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine has a muffler body, an inlet pipe, a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe. The inlet pipe has an inlet outside the muffler body and an outlet inside the muffler body. The primary exhaust pipe has an inlet inside the muffler body, a main outlet outside the muffler body, and at least one auxiliary outlet defined in a side of the primary exhaust pipe between the inlet and the main outlet of the primary exhaust pipe. The auxiliary exhaust pipe fluidly communicates the at least one auxiliary outlet with an exterior of the muffler. A vehicle having a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a pair of slide rails and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to a tunnel. A shock absorber is adapted to be pivotally connected between the tunnel and the slide rails. A limiter strap, adapted to extend between the tunnel and the slide rails, is substantially inextensible to limit separation therebetween. A strap holder, connected between an end of the limiter strap and the slide rails or the tunnel when the at least one suspension arm is connected to the tunnel, is moveable between a first and a second strap holder position. A position of the end of the limiter strap, relative to the slide rails or the tunnel, is different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A method of adjusting the limiter strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a front suspension and ski assembly having a right side and a left side. The right and left sides each have an upper arm, a lower arm and a spindle. A ski is connected to the lower portion of each spindle. At least one of the upper arms has a least one protrusion extending therefrom.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a pair of slide rails and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to a tunnel. A shock absorber is adapted to be pivotally connected between the tunnel and the slide rails. A limiter strap, adapted to extend between the tunnel and the slide rails, is substantially inextensible to limit separation therebetween. A strap holder, connected between an end of the limiter strap and the slide rails or the tunnel when the at least one suspension arm is connected to the tunnel, is moveable between a first and a second strap holder position. A position of the end of the limiter strap, relative to the slide rails or the tunnel, is different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A method of adjusting the limiter strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive track for a tracked vehicle has an endless belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of lugs projecting from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. At least some of the plurality of lugs each have at least one passage extending at least partially through the lug from an outer surface of the lug. A snowmobile provided with the drive track is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice scratcher for attachment to a snowmobile includes first and second ice scratcher end portions opposite to each other, an elongate member connected to the second ice scratcher end portion, and a spring connecting the first ice scratcher end portion to the elongate member. The spring has a plurality of coils defining a coil radius. The spring is movable between an unbent configuration, wherein a centerline passing through respective centers of each coil of the plurality of coils defines a coil axis, and a bent configuration, wherein at least a portion of the centerline is displaced from the coil axis. At least a portion of the first ice scratcher end portion is radially spaced from the coil axis by a distance less than the coil radius and adapted for attachment to the snowmobile. Ice scratcher assemblies, kits and snowmobiles having the ice scratcher are also disclosed.

Abstract: A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine has a muffler body, an inlet pipe, a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe. The inlet pipe has an inlet outside the muffler body and an outlet inside the muffler body. The primary exhaust pipe has an inlet inside the muffler body, a main outlet outside the muffler body, and at least one auxiliary outlet defined in a side of the primary exhaust pipe between the inlet and the main outlet of the primary exhaust pipe. The auxiliary exhaust pipe fluidly communicates the at least one auxiliary outlet with an exterior of the muffler. A vehicle having a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive track for a tracked vehicle comprises a belt having an inner side, an outer side, and two lateral sides. The belt has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. A plurality of internal lugs is distributed on the inner side of the belt. At least some of the plurality of internal lugs form two outer longitudinal rows, which are disposed next to a corresponding one of the two lateral sides of the belt. Regions of the belt disposed outwardly of the two outer longitudinal rows are deprived of internal lugs. A plurality of lateral rods is embedded within the belt. The plurality of lateral rods is extending in the lateral direction. Both ends of at least some of the plurality of lateral rods is disposed laterally inwardly of the regions of the belt disposed laterally outwardly of the two outer longitudinal rows. A tracked vehicle is also presented.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine includes the steps of: applying a current to the electromagnetic coil to move the at least one piston from the fully retracted position toward the full stroke position; sending a signal to an electronic control unit (ECU) when the at least one piston reaches the full stroke position; determining a time taken to reach the full stroke position from the fully retracted position based on the signal; determining a power-on time based on the determined time taken to reach the full stroke position from the fully retracted position; and returning the at least one piston to the fully retracted position by stopping to apply the current to the electromagnetic coil once the power-on time has elapsed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame, a tunnel, an endless drive track, at least one ski, an engine, a handlebar being pivotable about a steering axis, a first throttle lever pivotably connected to the handlebar and operatively connected to the engine, the first throttle lever being disposed on a first side of the steering axis, and a second throttle lever pivotably connected to the handlebar and operatively connected to the engine, the second throttle lever being disposed on a second side of the steering axis. A throttle lever assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a pair of slide rails and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to a tunnel. A shock absorber is adapted to be pivotally connected between the tunnel and the slide rails. A limiter strap, adapted to extend between the tunnel and the slide rails, is substantially inextensible to limit separation therebetween. A strap holder, connected between an end of the limiter strap and the slide rails or the tunnel when the at least one suspension arm is connected to the tunnel, is moveable between a first and a second strap holder position. A position of the end of the limiter strap, relative to the slide rails or the tunnel, is different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A method of adjusting the limiter strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a front suspension and ski assembly having a right side and a left side. The right and left sides each have an upper arm, a lower arm and a spindle. A ski is connected to the lower portion of each spindle. At least one of the upper arms has a least one protrusion extending therefrom.

Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.