A two-wheeled motor vehicle is configured in such a manner that left and right side body covers (35L, 35R) are mounted to left and right seat rails (14L, 14R), respectively, so as to cover the sides of the vehicle body (20) and so as to sandwich a tail light unit (62). A rear center lower cover (50) has a cover center mounting section (51), a cover left mounting section (52L), and a cover right mounting section (52R). The cover center mounting section (51) is mounted to a second cross plate (27) together with a light center mounting section (65) and a center mounting section (46). The cover left mounting section (52L) and the cover right mounting section (52R) are individually mounted to a rear fender (40) so as to cover a part of the rear fender (40) from below.

A two-wheeled motor vehicle is configured in such a manner that left and right side body covers (35L, 35R) are mounted to left and right seat rails (14L, 14R), respectively, so as to cover the sides of the vehicle body (20) and so as to sandwich a tail light unit (62). A rear center lower cover (50) has a cover center mounting section (51), a cover left mounting section (52L), and a cover right mounting section (52R). The cover center mounting section (51) is mounted to a second cross plate (27) together with a light center mounting section (65) and a center mounting section (46). The cover left mounting section (52L) and the cover right mounting section (52R) are individually mounted to a rear fender (40) so as to cover a part of the rear fender (40) from below.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction apparatus and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the stationary point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction apparatus includes: a streamlined fairing or wind deflector positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes; a wheel assembly with a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke; a wheel with a tapered spoke having a thin aerodynamic profile near the rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A fuel tank is disposed under a flat footboard. A vehicle body cover is disposed laterally of the fuel tank. An opening introduces travelling wind to a space between the fuel tank and the vehicle body cover. A first exhaust pipe is located upstream of a catalyst and is connected to an exhaust port. A catalyst housing portion accommodates the catalyst, is connected to the first exhaust pipe, and extends backwardly from the first exhaust pipe. A second exhaust pipe is located downstream of the catalyst, is connected to the catalyst housing portion, extends backwardly from the catalyst housing portion, and is connected to a silencer. The first exhaust pipe at least partially overlaps with the fuel tank in a vehicle front view. The catalyst housing portion is at least partially disposed rearward of the space between the fuel tank and the vehicle body cover.

A fender for straddled vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base made of a crystalline resin and disposed above a wheel, and a film which is in close contact with the back side of the base facing the wheel. The hardness of the surface of the base is lower than the hardness of the interior of the base. The hardness of the film is higher than the hardness of the surface of the base.

A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

A saddle-ride type vehicle in which left and right radiators are disposed on the sides of a vehicle body and the peripheries of these left and right radiators are covered by cover members to cause traveling air to pass through the left and right radiators from their inner sides to outer sides, the saddle-ride type vehicle including air introduction paths provided on the outer sides of the cover members and formed by the cover members and cowl members disposed outward of the cover members in the vehicle width direction.

A method for producing an exterior cover, including a decorative layer provided on a resin substrate layer, for a straddled vehicle. The method comprising: providing a mold having a protrusion on an inner surface thereof; preparing a decorative film and setting the decorative film in the mold; and subsequently injecting a resin material into the mold and performing injection molding. The protrusion in formed in such a shape that, in the step of injecting the resin material into the mold and performing the injection molding, the protrusion causes an attachment portion to be formed on the resin substrate layer, the attachment portion being so shaped as to allow the exterior cover to be attachable to a main body of the straddled vehicle, and the protrusion catches the decorative film when the decorative film moves along with a flow of the resin material.

A vehicle includes a frame configured to pivot relative to a support surface through both positive and negative roll angles and a wheel support coupled to the frame. The wheel support includes an axle mounting portion. An axle defining an axis of rotation is mounted to the wheel support at the axle mounting portion. A downforce generating system is mounted to the wheel support between the frame and the axle mounting portion. The downforce generating system includes a wing support mounted to the wheel support and a downforce generating wing pivotally mounted to the wing support. The downforce generating wing includes an aerodynamic surface having a leading edge. The downforce generating system is configured to maintain a substantially horizontal orientation of the leading edge relative to the support surface as the frame pivots between the positive and the negative roll angles.

A vehicle includes a frame configured to pivot relative to a support surface through both positive and negative roll angles and a wheel support coupled to the frame. The wheel support includes an axle mounting portion. An axle defining an axis of rotation is mounted to the wheel support at the axle mounting portion. A downforce generating system is mounted to the wheel support between the frame and the axle mounting portion. The downforce generating system includes a wing support mounted to the wheel support and a downforce generating wing pivotally mounted to the wing support. The downforce generating wing includes an aerodynamic surface having a leading edge. The downforce generating system is configured to maintain a substantially horizontal orientation of the leading edge relative to the support surface as the frame pivots between the positive and the negative roll angles.