A vehicle includes a main vehicle body, a suspended assembly that supports the main body of the vehicle, a suspension arrangement for connecting the suspended assembly to the main body of the vehicle, and a steering system for steering the suspended assembly. The suspended assembly assisting in providing directional control of the vehicle and stability in a lateral direction relative to a normal straight-ahead direction of travel for the vehicle. The steering system including a first steering arrangement that controls movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body such that the suspended assembly pivots about a first steering axis. The steering system further including a second steering arrangement that controls movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body such that the suspended assembly pivots about a second steering axis with the second steering axis being different than the first steering axis.

A vehicle includes a main vehicle body, a suspended assembly that supports the main body of the vehicle, a suspension arrangement for connecting the suspended assembly to the main body of the vehicle, and a steering system for steering the suspended assembly. The suspended assembly assisting in providing directional control of the vehicle and stability in a lateral direction relative to a normal straight-ahead direction of travel for the vehicle. The steering system including a first steering arrangement that controls movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body such that the suspended assembly pivots about a first steering axis. The steering system further including a second steering arrangement that controls movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body such that the suspended assembly pivots about a second steering axis with the second steering axis being different than the first steering axis.

A vehicle includes a suspended assembly that supports a main body and a suspension system for connecting the suspended assembly to the main vehicle body. The suspended assembly assists in providing directional control of the vehicle and stability in a lateral direction relative to a normal straight-ahead direction of travel of the vehicle. The suspension system including first and second suspension arrangements that control movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body through a range of motion along first and second paths that are primarily perpendicular to the lateral direction. The second path differs from the first path such that the combination of the range of motion of the first suspension arrangement along the first path and the second path result in an overall range of motion for the suspended assembly relative to the main body that is defined by a surface area.

A vehicle includes a suspended assembly that supports a main body and a suspension system for connecting the suspended assembly to the main vehicle body. The suspended assembly assists in providing directional control of the vehicle and stability in a lateral direction relative to a normal straight-ahead direction of travel of the vehicle. The suspension system including first and second suspension arrangements that control movement of the suspended assembly relative to the main vehicle body through a range of motion along first and second paths that are primarily perpendicular to the lateral direction. The second path differs from the first path such that the combination of the range of motion of the first suspension arrangement along the first path and the second path result in an overall range of motion for the suspended assembly relative to the main body that is defined by a surface area.

A high performance motorcycle having a frame, engine suspension, and rear wheel drive system that enables rider foot positioning close to the longitudinal centerline of the motorcycle and an overall aerodynamic profile. The engine suspension, centering and damping system allows for lateral movement while damping vibration and unwanted oscillations. The rear wheel drive includes a driven pulley axially disposed on a rear wheel axle, a drive pulley configured to receive motive output from the motorcycle engine, an idler pulley disposed above a line between the axes of rotation of the drive pulley and the rear wheel axle, and a belt or chain disposed around and operatively connecting the drive pulley, the driven pulley and the idler pulley, wherein the idler pulley and the drive pulley configured so as to provide substantially constant tension to a belt or chain over the range of travel of the rear suspension.

A high performance motorcycle having a frame, engine suspension, and rear wheel drive system that enables rider foot positioning close to the longitudinal centerline of the motorcycle and an overall aerodynamic profile. The engine suspension, centering and damping system allows for lateral movement while damping vibration and unwanted oscillations. The rear wheel drive includes a driven pulley axially disposed on a rear wheel axle, a drive pulley configured to receive motive output from the motorcycle engine, an idler pulley disposed above a line between the axes of rotation of the drive pulley and the rear wheel axle, and a belt or chain disposed around and operatively connecting the drive pulley, the driven pulley and the idler pulley, wherein the idler pulley and the drive pulley configured so as to provide substantially constant tension to a belt or chain over the range of travel of the rear suspension.

Unique suspension apparatuses, systems and methods useful for mountain bicycles among other applications are disclosed. In certain exemplary embodiments the suspension is self adjusting to meet different performance objectives. The suspension may utilize pedaling force to substantially stiffen or lock out movement of the suspension, for example, during climbing. The suspension may change its performance under reduced pedaling force to provide performance characteristics desired when a rider is descending. Certain exemplary embodiments include a rocker arm connected to a first frame portion at a first rocker arm pivot, connected to a seatstay at a second rocker arm pivot, and connected to a second link at a third rocker arm pivot. The first link is connected to the first frame portion at a first link pivot, connected to the chainstay at a second link pivot, and connected to the shock and the second link at a third link pivot.

Transportation vehicles, suspension systems and related methods are provided herein. A three wheeled vehicle can include a frame having first and second sides and front and rear ends and a steerable front wheel secured to the front end of the frame. The vehicle can also include a first trailing wheel arm with a first rear wheel and a second trailing wheel arm with a second rear wheel. The vehicle can include a horizontal linkage having first and second ends and a midsection therebetween. The horizontal linkage can be pivotably connected to a pintle on the frame at the midsection with the horizontal linkage linked to an underside of the first trailing wheel arm between the first wheel and the central suspension joint and linked to an underside of the second trailing wheel arm between the second wheel and the central suspension joint.

Transportation vehicles, suspension systems and related methods are provided herein. A three wheeled vehicle can include a frame having first and second sides and front and rear ends and a steerable front wheel secured to the front end of the frame. The vehicle can also include a first trailing wheel arm with a first rear wheel and a second trailing wheel arm with a second rear wheel. The vehicle can include a horizontal linkage having first and second ends and a midsection therebetween. The horizontal linkage can be pivotably connected to a pintle on the frame at the midsection with the horizontal linkage linked to an underside of the first trailing wheel arm between the first wheel and the central suspension joint and linked to an underside of the second trailing wheel arm between the second wheel and the central suspension joint.

A traveling vehicle includes: a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices, a pair of right and left rear crawler traveling devices, a front suspension device that suspends the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame, and a rear suspension device that suspends the pair of right and left rear crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame. The front suspension device integrally suspends the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame and allows the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices to be swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body frame.