A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.

A family of vehicles is presented which exploit dynamic controls to stabilize in-line two wheeled vehicles. The stabilization results in improved safety at high speeds and on uncooperative surfaces. Stabilization affords balance at zero speed without auxiliary support means. Transformational wheel base length affords high visibility at low speeds and low drag at high speeds. In wheel chair configurations transforming wheel base length allows navigation up and down stairs.

A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.

System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.

A vehicle has a front and rear left wheel, and a front and rear right wheel. A left suspension operatively connects one of the left wheels to the left suspension support. A right suspension operatively connects one of the right wheels to the right suspension support. The one of the right front wheel and the right rear wheel is the right front wheel when the one of the left front wheel and the left rear wheel is the left front wheel. A driver seat and at least one passenger seat are disposed side-by-side. A rack and pinion assembly (RPA) is operatively connected to the one of the left front wheel and the left rear wheel and to the one of the right front wheel and the right rear wheel. The RPA is connected to both suspension supports. A steering wheel is operatively connected to the RPA.

A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame includes a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the front frame portion. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and an adjacent passenger seat spaced apart from the operator seat. The operator seat and the passenger seat are in a side-by-side arrangement. The utility vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power assembly having an attachment shaft configured to be operably coupled to the attachment. The attachment shaft extends in a generally longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle and projects outwardly from the front frame portion.

A method of packing a vehicle in a crate for shipment is disclosed where a full vehicle height is greater than an internal height of the crate. The method includes placing the vehicle on a bottom side of the crate; compressing the vehicle into a packing configuration by compressing front and rear suspension assemblies; and connecting crate side walls and a top side of the crate to the crate bottom, the internal height being measured from a top surface of the bottom side of the crate to the top side of the crate, the top surface of the bottom side of the crate to a highest point of a roll cage being less than or equal to the internal height when the vehicle is in the packing configuration and is placed on the bottom side of the crate, the roll cage and tires still being installed on the vehicle.