Apparatus and associated methods relate to remote control over a number of degrees of freedom of coupling between a first suspension member and a second suspension member. In an illustrative embodiment, when in an uncoupled state, the first suspension member may move substantially independently of any motion of the second suspension member. When in a coupled state, for example, the first suspension member may move in response to movement of the second suspension member. In some embodiments, the coupling between members may be altered by selectively permitting at least one degree of freedom of motion of the suspension system. For example, in some systems, a variable shock absorber may be selectively set to a fixed length in response to a control system signal. A remotely coupled suspension system may advantageously provide dynamically controllable suspension configurations for various riding conditions.

An airbox for an air intake system of an engine includes an air inlet for receiving air into the airbox, an air outlet for discharging air from the airbox, and an airbox body defining first and second expansion chambers fluidly connected to one another. The airbox body has a dividing wall separating the first expansion chamber from the second expansion chamber, the dividing wall defining a wall opening fluidly connecting the first and second expansion chambers. An interchangeable flute is removably connected to the airbox body. The interchangeable flute is at least partly disposed in the second expansion chamber and positioned to guide air flowing into the air inlet into the second expansion chamber. The interchangeable flute is removable such that a replacement flute can be installed in its place to selectively modify a noise output of the airbox. Other aspects are also contemplated.

A shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston. The piston is configured to partition an internal space of the cylinder into two oil chambers and is capable of sliding in an axial direction of the cylinder. The piston having formed therethrough a communication path configured to bring the two oil chambers into communication with each other. The shock absorber also includes a first rod and a second rod. The first rod extends in a first direction of the axial direction with respect to the piston. The second rod has a diameter larger than a diameter of the first rod, and extends in a second direction of the axial direction, which is opposite to the first direction, with respect to the piston. The shock absorber further includes a rod mounting member, which is provided on the first rod, and a cylinder mounting member, which is provided on the cylinder and arranged as offset from an axis of the cylinder.

A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus for a vehicle includes left and right front wheels, left and right arms, and hydraulic shock absorbers provided between a vehicle body and the left and right arms. A first end portion of each hydraulic shock absorber includes a cylinder main body partitioned into a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber by a piston. A second end portion of the hydraulic shock absorber includes a piston rod including the piston. A reserve tank is connected to one hydraulic shock absorber via a first hydraulic oil passage and connected to the other hydraulic shock absorber via a second hydraulic oil passage. The first hydraulic oil passage and the second hydraulic oil passage are individually connected to a third oil chamber of the reserve tank.

An oil channel that connects, a right damper and a left damper includes a switching valve arranged between a right oil channel ER and a left oil channel EL. The switching valve includes a valve main body in which a first switching channel is formed for connecting the right oil channel ER and the left oil channel EL. The valve main body is rotatable to a first position where the first switching channel connects the right oil channel ER and the left oil channel EL to each other and to a second position different from the first position. According to this damping system, it is possible to adjust oil flow in the oil channel by performing a simple operation for the switching valve.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors may also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based on sensor output signals.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.

A snowmobile including a frame including a tunnel; a motor; a rear suspension assembly; an endless track; and left and right skis operatively connected to the frame. When the snowmobile is at rest and unloaded on a horizontal ground surface, at least one of (i) a vertically highest one of the left suspension connections, and (ii) a vertically highest one of the right suspension connections, is disposed laterally inward of a lateral outermost edge of a corresponding one of the left body panel and the right body panel.

A snowmobile including a chassis including a tunnel; a motor; at least one ski; an endless drive track; a rear suspension assembly including: a front suspension arm; a rear suspension arm; a pair of slide rails; a first rear shock absorber connected between the front suspension arm and the slide rails; and a second rear shock absorber connected between the rear suspension arm and the front suspension arm or the slide rails; at least one sensor for sensing an angular position of the front suspension arm or the rear suspension arm relative to one of the tunnel and a component of the rear suspension assembly near at least one of the front suspension arm and the rear suspension arm; and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor to receive electronic signals therefrom representative of the angular position.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a recreational vehicle spindle for use with a snowmobile, a snow bike, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or a side by side vehicle (SxS or UTV). The spindle includes a body with one or more mounts for securing a suspension component and a ground engaging member thereto. The body of the spindle may include one or more of a window, a recess, a leading edge, a triangular cross-sectional shape, an integrated steering stop, and an outboard side that includes a flat surface.