Patent Publication Number: US-2023137274-A1

Title: Motorcycle foot rest assembly having rotatable body

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to foot rests for motorcycles and other ground passenger vehicles employing foot rests, including, floorboard and/or peg-type foot rests for motorcycles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Motorcycles have foot rests that a user can rest their feet on while operating the motorcycle. When a motorcycle turns, the motorcycle is often angled with respect to the roll axis—in some instances during a turn, the foot rest, which may extend laterally outward from the motorcycle, may contact the ground if the roll angle of the motorcycle is sufficiently large. When the foot rest contacts the ground, the driver or operator may lose control and potentially crash. And, even in instances where no crash occurs, the friction between the foot rest and the ground slows down the motorcycle and causes wear to the foot rest. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a foot rest assembly for a motorcycle, including a main body extending from a first end to a second end, a mounting bracket attached to the first end of the main body, and a rotatable body rotatably supported on the motorcycle foot rest assembly. The main body is configured to support a foot of a user when the foot rest assembly is mounted to a motorcycle. The rotatable body is configured to rotate when the rotatable body contacts the ground as a result of motorcycle operation. 
     According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a foot rest assembly for a motorcycle, including a main body extending along a main body axis from a first end to a second end, a mounting bracket attached to the first end of the main body, and a rotatable body rotatably supported on the motorcycle foot rest assembly and configured to rotate around a rotary axis that is obliquely angled relative to the main body axis. The main body is configured to support a foot of a user when the foot rest assembly is mounted to a motorcycle. The rotatable body is configured to rotate along the ground when the rotatable body contacts the ground as a result of motorcycle operation. 
     According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a foot rest assembly for a motorcycle, including a main body extending along a main body axis from a first end to a second end, a mounting bracket attached to the first end of the main body, and one or more wheels and/or rollers rotatably supported on the motorcycle foot rest assembly and configured to rotate around a rotary axis that is obliquely angled relative to the main body axis. The main body is configured to support a foot of a user when the foot rest assembly is mounted to a motorcycle. The rotatable body is configured to rotate along the ground when the rotatable body contacts the ground as a result of motorcycle operation. 
     According to various embodiments, the foot rest assembly according to the first aspect, the second aspect, and/or the third aspect may further include any one of the following features or any technically-feasible combination of some or all of the following features:
         the main body includes a cylindrically- or rod- shaped portion that extends axially from the first end to the second end;   the main body includes a planar top surface configured to support the foot of the user;   the mounting bracket is integrally formed with the main body;   the rotatable body is a wheel that is rotatably supported on an axis of the main body;   the wheel is comprised of a polymeric material;   the wheel is comprised of a rubber material;   the rotatable body is a roller that is rotatably supported on a rotary axis of the main body;   the rotatable body is configured to rotate about a rotary axis, and wherein the rotary axis is obliquely angled relative to an axial direction of the main body that extends from the first end to the second end;   the oblique angle between the rotary axis and the axial direction of the main body is between 15° and 75°;   a rotatable body extension that extends from the second end of the main body, wherein the rotatable body is rotatably supported by the rotatable body extension;   the rotatable body extension extends from a first end, which is attached to the second end of the main body, to a second end along a rotatable body extension axis, and wherein the rotatable body extension axis is angled relative to a main body axis that extends from the first end of the main body to the second end of the main body;   the rotatable body extension includes a bore at the second end of the rotatable body extension, and wherein the bore is configured to rotatably support an axle;   the rotatable body is configured to rotate about a rotary axis, and wherein the rotary axis is substantially orthogonal to the rotatable body extension axis;   the rotatable body extension includes a shock absorber that extends substantially parallel to the rotatable body extension axis;   the rotatable body is removable from the motorcycle foot rest assembly so that the rotatable body is replaceable by a second rotatable body;   the main body has a floorboard configuration and includes a top surface configured to receive a sole of the foot of the user;   the mounting bracket is attached to the main body with screws and/bolts.       

     According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a passenger vehicle having the foot rest assembly according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and/or any technically-feasible combination of those aspects or features listed above. According to various embodiments based on this fourth aspect, the foot rest assembly is a first foot rest assembly, and the passenger vehicle further includes a second foot rest assembly having a main body extending from a first end to a second end, a mounting bracket attached to the first end of the main body of the second foot rest assembly, and a rotatable body rotatably supported on the second foot rest assembly. The main body is configured to support a foot of a user when the second foot rest assembly is mounted to the passenger vehicle. The rotatable body is configured to rotate when the rotatable body contacts the ground as a result of passenger vehicle operation. According to some embodiments, the passenger vehicle of the fourth aspect is a motorcycle having a driver&#39;s seat for a driver, and wherein the first foot rest assembly and the second foot rest assembly are each configured to receive a different foot of the driver when seated in the driver&#39;s seat. 
     According to other aspects of the disclosure, the foot rest assembly provided herein, which may be configured for use with a motorcycle or other passenger vehicle, for example, may further have any of the features described herein or any technically-feasible combination of some or all of the features described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a motorcycle, namely a tire of the motorcycle and a left foot rest assembly and a right foot rest assembly, according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the motorcycle of  FIG.  1   , when the motorcycle is rotated about a roll axis such that a rotatable body of the left foot rest assembly contacts the ground; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a bottom side and a first peripheral side of the left foot rest assembly of  FIGS.  1 - 2   , according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the bottom side and a second peripheral side of the left foot rest assembly of  FIGS.  1 - 2   , according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a sectional view of the foot rest assembly of  FIGS.  1 - 2    taken along a main body axis, according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed portion of the sectional view of the foot rest assembly of  FIG.  5    taken along the main body axis, according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a bottom side and a first peripheral side of a foot rest assembly, according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the bottom side and a second peripheral side of the foot rest assembly of  FIG.  7   , according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    is a sectional view of the foot rest assembly of  FIG.  7    taken along a main body axis, according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG.  10    is a detailed portion of the sectional view of the foot rest assembly of  FIG.  9    taken along the main body axis, according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The foot rest assembly described herein includes a main body (e.g., a foot peg or a floorboard) connected to the motorcycle via a mounting bracket at a first end thereof and a rotatable body connected to a second end of the main body, and is so configured such that, when the rotatable body contacts the ground, such as the result of leaning the motorcycle during a turn, the rotatable body rotates along the ground. As discussed above, conventional foot rest assemblies for motorcycles typically include an elongated foot rest that extends laterally outward from the motorcycle, and may a foot peg configuration or a floorboard configuration. An outer-most end of such conventional foot rest assemblies may contact the ground during a maneuver of the motorcycle, such as leaning during a sharp turn. This contact between the end of the foot rest assembly and the ground may cause the motorcycle to jerk, may cause drag on the motorcycle due to friction between the ground and foot rest assembly, and/or may otherwise cause the operator to have less control (and potentially even lose control) of the motorcycle. According to at least some embodiments, the rotatable body of the foot rest assembly is provided at an outside lateral end of the foot rest assembly and is configured so that, when the foot rest assembly comes into contact with the ground, such as the result of leaning the motorcycle during a turn, the rotatable body (e.g., wheel, roller) contacts the ground first and rotates along the ground thereby reducing frictional forces between the foot rest assembly and the ground (and, thus, reducing wear on the foot rest assembly) as well as reducing the chances that the operator loses control of the motorcycle. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , there is shown a foot rest assembly  10  for a motorcycle according to a first embodiment. The foot rest assembly  10  is described herein as being configured for use with a motorcycle M; however, it should be appreciated that, according to other embodiments, the foot rest assembly may be configured for use with other vehicles, such as bicycles, scooters, and mopeds. For example, in one embodiment where the vehicle is a scooter or moped, the foot rest assembly  10  may be or include a scooter or moped foot stand or peg that allow a user to rest their feet or stand. The discussion below is provided with respect to a single foot rest assembly  10 ; however, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , two foot rest assemblies  10 , 10 ′ may be provided and installed on the motorcycle M. The foot rest assembly  10 ′ is the same as the foot rest assembly  10 , except that the foot rest assembly  10  is configured to be installed on the left side of the motorcycle M whereas the foot rest assembly  10 ′ is configured to be installed on the right side of the motorcycle M. In at least one embodiment, the right-sided foot rest assembly  10 ′ is a mirror image of the left-sided foot rest assembly  10 . It should be appreciated that the foot rest assemblies of the depicted embodiments are exemplary; according to various embodiments, the foot rest assembly may include various different configurations and/or features, such as heel rests or stops, for example. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 - 6   , there is shown the foot rest assembly  10  of  FIG.  1   , which generally includes a main body  12 , a mounting bracket or portion  14  (referred to herein as a “mounting bracket”), and a rotatable body  16 . The main body  12  extends from a first end  18  to a second end  20  along a main body axis Al 2  and is configured to support the left foot of a user when the foot rest assembly  10  is mounted to a vehicle. The mounting bracket  14  is connected to the first end  18  of the main body  12  and, as depicted in  FIGS.  3 - 5   , is integrally formed therewith so that the main body  12  and the mounting bracket  14  are of a unitary construction. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the main body  12  and the mounting bracket  14  may be provided as separate pieces that are attached to one another, such as through use of rivets, screws, bolts, welds, adhesives, etc. 
     The main body  12  is rectangular in cross-section and is shaped as an elongated cuboid or rectangular bar. However, in other embodiments, the cross-section of the main body  12  could be other geometric shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, or flat. The main body  12  includes a top surface  22  ( FIG.  5   ), upon which a user of the motorcycle M may rest their foot. The top surface  22  extends from the first end  18  of the main body  12  to the second end  20  of the main body  12  and is planar. In some embodiments, the top surface  22  may include gripping means, such as anti-slip or grip tapes, non-slip coatings, a knurled texture or surface (or other textured surface), etc. In one embodiment, such as one where the foot rest assembly is used for off-road motorcycles or bikes, the main body  12  may be a perforated/serrated grating, such as those used for off-road motorcycles or bikes, and/or may include upwardly-extending protrusions or protuberances. 
     In embodiments, the foot rest assembly may use a floorboard configuration in which a floorboard configured to receive a sole of a foot is provided. The floorboard may be a separate piece that is connected to the main body  12  or may be integral with the main body  12 . In other embodiments, however, such as the illustrated embodiment, the foot rest assembly  10  has a foot peg configuration in which the main body is elongated in a rod-like manner. 
     The main body  12  also includes a bottom surface  24 , as well as two side surfaces  26 , 28 , which are also referred to herein as a first side surface  26  and a second side surface  28 . The bottom surface  24  is planar, extends from the first end  18  of the main body  12  to the second end  20  of the main body, opposes the top surface  22 , and is parallel to the top surface  22 . The first side surface  26  is planar, extends from the first end  18  of the main body  12  to the second end  20  of the main body  12 , opposes the second side surface  28 , and is parallel to the second side surface  28 . Likewise, the second side surface  28  is planar and extends from the first end  18  of the main body  12  to the second end  20  of the main body  12 . The main body  12  further includes an outward-facing end surface  30  and an inward-facing end surface  32 . The outward-facing end surface  30  extends between a peripheral edge of the top surface  22 , the first side surface  26 , and the second side surface  28 . The inward-facing end surface  32  extends between a peripheral edge of the top surface  22 , the first side surface  26 , the second side surface  28 , and the bottom surface  24 . Each of the outward-facing end surface  30  and the inward-facing end surface  32  is planar and is shaped as a rectangle. In other embodiments, the main body  12  is cylindrically- or rod-shaped and includes an outer cylindrical surface that is defined by the main body axis A 12 , which extends from the first end  18  toward the second end  20 . In such an embodiment, the user may rest their foot on a top or upward-facing portion of the outer cylindrical surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 - 5   , at the first end  18 , the main body  12  is attached to the mounting bracket  14  and, at the second end  20 , the main body  12  includes a rotatable body fixing portion  34  that rotatably fixes the rotatable body  16  to, and supports the rotatable body  16  on, the foot rest assembly  10  and, in particular, the main body  12 . The rotatable body fixing potion  34  includes an upper housing portion  36  and a lower housing portion  38 . Furthermore, the rotatable body fixing potion  34  includes a first bore  40  that is disposed within the upper housing portion  36  and a second bore  42  that is disposed within the lower housing portion  38 , where each of the first bore  40  and the second bore  42  is configured to receive a portion of an axle  44 , which may be constructed from or as a pin or screw. The axle  44  rotatably supports the rotatable body  16  such that the rotatable body  16  rotates around a rotary axis A R  ( FIGS.  1 - 2 ,  5 - 6   ) defined by the axle  44 . The upper housing portion  36  and the lower housing portion  38  define, at least in part, a rotatable body space  46  ( FIG.  6   ) that is configured so as to permit the rotatable body  16  to rotate freely when rotatably supported by the axle  44  or other portion of the foot rest assembly  10 . In some embodiments, the axle  44  is removeable so that the rotatable body or wheel  16  is removeable and replaceable by another wheel, which may be particularly useful where the rotatable body  16  experiences heavy wear. 
     The upper housing portion  36  of the rotatable body fixing portion  34  includes an angled surface  48  ( FIG.  6   ), which is parallel or substantially parallel to the rotary axis A R . Likewise, the lower housing portion  38  of the rotatable body fixing portion  34  includes a first angled surface  50  ( FIG.  6   ), which is parallel or substantially parallel to the rotary axis A R . The lower housing portion  38  further includes a second angled surface  52  that is extends between the first angled surface  50 , the bottom surface  24  of the main body  12 , the first side surface  26  of the main body  12 , and the second side surface  28  of the main body  12 . 
     The rotatable body  16  is rotatably supported on the foot rest assembly  10  and, in particular, by the axle  44  of the main body  12 . The rotatable body  16  is illustrated as a wheel, but it should be appreciated that other rotatable bodies may be used. Such other examples of rotatable bodies include rollers, continuous tracks, roller balls or bearings configured to engage a surface (e.g., rollerball guides having a captured roller ball), etc. And, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, multiple rotatable bodies, such as multiple wheels or rollers, may be used. For example, in one embodiment, two wheels, each of which constitutes a rotatable body, is rotatably supported by the axle  44 . The rotatable body  16  may be comprised of a polymeric material and, in a particular embodiment, a rubber material, such as a hard synthetic rubber. For example, the rotating body  16  may be a polyurethane wheel that is between 20 mm and 100 mm. In some embodiments, the Shore A hardness of the rotatable body  16  is at least 90 and, in one embodiment, at least 97. In some embodiments, the Shore D hardness of the rotatable body  16  is at least 50 and, in one embodiment, at least 65. 
     The mounting bracket  14  includes a plate  54  and a bore  56  that is disposed within the plate  54 . The plate  54  is generally rectangularly-shaped (or cuboid-shaped), but includes a rounded edge  58 . The plate  54  is integrally formed with the main body  12  and is connected to the main body  12  at the first end  18 . The plate  54  projects axially, with respect to the main body axis A 12 , from the inward-facing surface  32  of the main body  12 . The bore  56  is configured to receive a mounting pin or other implement (not shown) that fixes or holds the foot rest assembly  10  to the motorcycle. In at least one embodiment, the mounting pin may be attached at each end to the motorcycle, such as to a frame component thereof, and the mounting pin passes through the bore  56 . In one embodiment, the main body  12  of the foot rest assembly  10  is rotatably coupled or fixed to, and rotatably supported on, the motorcycle by way of the mounting pin passing through the bore  56 . This enables the foot rest assembly  10  to be rotated about a mounting bore axis A 56  so that, for example, the foot rest assembly  10  may be rotated/folded upward so that the assembly  10  is in a stowed position and then rotated/folded downward from the stowed position into an extended or deployed position, such as that which is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . In some embodiments, the foot rest assembly  10  may be locked or held in the stowed position and/or the deployed position by one or more locking mechanisms (e.g., a pin and slot configured so that, when the pin is within the slot, the foot rest assembly  10  is prevented from rotating). In one embodiment, the foot rest assembly  10  is not locked by a locking mechanism within the deployed position, but, rather, the foot rest assembly  10  is held down in the deployed position by gravity and/or the weight of the user&#39;s foot. In such embodiments, when the foot rest assembly  10  contacts the ground G, namely when the rotatable body  16  contacts the ground G, the impact may cause the foot rest assembly  10  to rotate upwardly about the mounting bore axis A 56  thereby dissipating the resulting force when the foot rest assembly  10  strikes the ground G. In other embodiments, the foot rest assembly  10  is held fixedly to the motorcycle such that it is prevented from moving relative to the motorcycle. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  7 - 10   , there is shown a foot rest assembly  110  for a motorcycle according to a second embodiment. The foot rest assembly  110  may be installed onto a motorcycle, such as the motorcycle M, and may operate in a manner similar to that of the foot rest assembly  10  described above. Additionally, in some embodiments, two foot rest assemblies  110  may be provided, including a left-sided foot rest assembly and a right-sided foot rest assembly, each of which is a mirror image of the other. Of course, according to various embodiments, the foot rest assembly  110  may be used in conjunction with other vehicles. 
     The foot rest assembly  110  includes a main body  112 , a mounting bracket or portion  114 , and a rotatable body  116 . The foot rest assembly  110  includes certain features that are the same as or similar to those of the foot rest assembly  10  described above and, to the extent that discussion is not inconsistent with the discussion below, that discussion above is hereby attributed to the foot rest assembly  110 . Moreover, the reference numerals of like or analogous components of the foot rest assembly  10  and the foot rest assembly  110  are indicated by like numerals—for example, the mounting bracket  114  of the foot rest assembly  110  is analogous to the mounting bracket  14  of the foot rest assembly  10  and that discussion above relating to the mounting bracket  14  is hereby attributed to the mounting bracket  114 . A difference between the foot rest assembly  10  and the foot rest assembly  110  is that the foot rest assembly  110  includes a rotatable body extension  160  that extends away from the main body  112  and that rotatable supports the rotatable body  116 . Other similarities and differences between the foot rest assembly  10  and the foot rest assembly  110  will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the discussion below and associated figures. 
     The mounting bracket  114  includes a plate  154  having a bore  156 , and the plate  154  includes a rounded edge  158 . The mounting bracket  114  is analogous to the mounting bracket  14  of the foot rest assembly  10  and that discussion is hereby attributed to the mounting bracket  114  of the foot rest assembly  110 . 
     The main body  112  extends from a first end  118  to a second end  120  along a main body axis A  112 , is rectangular in cross-section, and is shaped as an elongated cuboid or rectangular bar. However, in other embodiments, the cross-section of the main body  112  could be other geometric shapes including but not limited to circular, oval or flat. The main body  112  includes a top surface  122  ( FIG.  9   ), upon which a user of the motorcycle may rest their foot, as well as a bottom surface  124 , two side surfaces  126 , 128 , an outward-facing end surface  130  ( FIG.  9   ), and an inward-facing end surface  132 . The main body  112  also includes a rotatable body fixing portion  134 , which includes an axle  162  and the rotatable body extension  160  that extends from a first end  164  to a second end  166  along a rotatable body extension axis A 160  ( FIG.  10   ). In one embodiment, the rotatable body extension  160  is disposed in a manner similar to a wear peg, and projects away from the bottom surface  124  of the main body  112  along the rotatable body extension axis A 160 . The rotatable body extension axis A 160  is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the main body axis A 112  and may be disposed at 20°-70° relative thereto (i.e., the angle between the rotatable body extension axis A 160  and the main body axis A 112  is between 20°-70°) or, more particularly, at 30°-60° relative thereto. 
     The rotatable body extension  160  is shaped as an elongated cuboid or rectangular bar; however, it should be appreciated that the rotatable body extension  160  may be cylindrically- or rod-shaped, or otherwise configured as another suitable shape. The rotatable body extension  160  is integrally formed with the main body  112 ; however, it should be appreciated that the rotatable body extension  160  and the main body  112  may be provided as separate pieces that are connected or attached to one another, such as through use of rivets, screws, bolts, welds, adhesives, etc. The rotatable body extension  160  includes a bore  168  at the second end  166 . The bore  168  is configured to receive the axle  162  so that the rotatable body  116  is thereby rotatably coupled to, or supported on, the rotatable body extension  160  and the main body  112 . The bore  168  may pass entirely through the rotatable body extension  160  or may be formed as a cavity or well that does not pass through the front side of the rotatable body extension  160 . 
     The axle  162  may be constructed from or as a pin or screw and is used to rotatably support the rotatable body  116  such that the rotatable body  116  rotates around a rotary axis A R  ( FIG.  10   ) defined by the axle  162 . The rotary axis A R ′ may be parallel to the rotatable body extension axis A 160 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 10   . The rotary axis A R ′ is substantially orthogonal to the rotatable body extension axis. As used herein, “substantially orthogonal” means orthogonal within +/−10°. The axle  162  projects away from an inward-facing surface of the rotatable body extension  160  and inwardly relative to the motorcycle when the foot rest assembly  110  is mounted thereto. However, in other embodiments, the axle  162  and the rotatable body  116  may project away from an outward-facing surface of the rotatable body extension  160  and outwardly relative to the motorcycle when the foot rest assembly  110  is mounted thereto. 
     In one embodiment, the rotatable body extension  160  includes a shock absorber (not shown), such as a hydraulic shock absorber, a mono-tube shock absorber, a twin-tube shock absorber, etc. The shock absorber may include a piston or extension that extends parallel to the rotatable body extension axis A 160  as well as a spring and may be configured to dampen and absorb shock impulses generated as a result of the rotatable body  116  contacting the ground G, such as during motorcycle operation. In such embodiments, dampening or absorption of such shock impulses, which may occur while driving the motorcycle around a turn, may reduce the amount of jerk or undesirable movement of the motorcycle and may reduce the likelihood of an accident and/or improve user comfort during maneuvers when the rotatable body  116  contacts the ground G. 
     In at least some embodiments, including in the illustrated embodiments, the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  (or axial direction of the main body  12 , 112 ). In one embodiment, this angle is between 15° to 75° and, in a particular embodiment, between 30° to 60°. With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   , when the motorcycle enters a turn, the motorcycle oftentimes experiences roll and, depending on how much roll the motorcycle experiences, the foot rest assembly  10  may contact the ground G (i.e., the surface over which the motorcycle is travelling or resting upon). It should be appreciated that, while the discussion below and  FIGS.  1 - 2    are provided with respect to the foot rest assembly  10 , the teachings of said discussion and figures also applies to the foot rest assembly  110  to the extent said teachings is not inconsistent with the express teachings of the foot rest assembly  110  herein. 
     As used herein, the roll angle at which the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  first contacts the ground G during a turn is referred to as the ground-contact roll angle. The ground-contact roll angle may vary depending on the configuration and arrangement of components of the motorcycle and/or the foot rest assembly  10 , 110 . In some embodiments, the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  is configured so that the rotary axis A R ,A R ′, around which the rotatable body  16 , 116  rotates, is parallel (or substantially parallel—i.e., within 20°) to the ground G when the motorcycle is disposed at the ground-contact roll angle or when the rotatable body  16 , 116  contacts the ground G. Thus, in instances where the rotatable body  16 , 116  contacts the ground G as a result of the motorcycle being disposed at the ground-contact roll angle (or a greater angle) (e.g., as a result of a turn), the rotatable body  16 , 116  travels straight along the ground as the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is parallel (or substantially parallel) to the ground G. When the motorcycle is balanced side-to-side (with zero roll, such as is shown in  FIG.  1   , where the front tire axis A T  is perpendicular to the ground G), the rotary axis A R  is obliquely angled relative to the ground G., at least according to some embodiments. As used herein, “obliquely angled” means angled 10° or more. Additionally, at least in some embodiments, the rotary axis A R  is obliquely angled relative to the main body axis A 12 . 
     In some embodiments, the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  may be configured so that the angle of the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  of the main body  12 , 112  is set based on a length of the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  (or portion thereof, such as the main body  12 , 112 ), which may be taken along the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  of the main body  12 , 112  from an end of the mounting bracket  14 , 114  toward an outside end of the main body  12 , 112 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the angle of the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ may be set based on a height of the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  when installed on the motorcycle, such as a height from the ground to a bottom edge of the second end  20 , 120  of the main body  12 , 112  or to a bottom edge of the rotatable body  16 , 116 . Such a calculation for determining a preferred or desired angle at which the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  (or axial direction of the main body  12 , 112 ) may be determined based on a variety of factors. In at least some embodiments, such a determination takes into consideration various known factors, such as the dimensionality of the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  and the motorcycle M, such as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the front tire T of the motorcycle A T  ( FIGS.  1 - 2   ) and the main body axis  12 , 112 . In at least some embodiments, the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  is configured to be mounted to the motorcycle so that the main body axis  12 , 112  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular (i.e., perpendicular within +/−20°) of the front tire axis A T . 
     In at least some embodiments, the angle at which the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  (or axial direction of the main body  12 , 112 ) is based on both a length of the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  (e.g., a distance representing the extent to which the rotatable body  16 , 116  is disposed as measured along the main body axis A 12 ,A 112 ) and a height or elevation of the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  when installed on the motorcycle (e.g., a distance between a bottom-most surface of the rotatable body  16 , 116  and the ground G). Such factors affect the ground-contact roll angle of the motorcycle having the foot rest assembly  10 , 110 , which may be used to determine the angle at which the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed. Of course, it should be appreciated that other factors may be used to set the angle at which the rotary axis A R  is disposed relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112 . Also, it should be appreciated that other points of reference and/or dimensions of the motorcycle and/or foot rest assembly  10 , 110  may be used as a part of determining the angle at which the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  (or axial direction of the main body  12 , 112 ). In some embodiments, one or more standard, empirically-derived, conventional, or typical dimensions, such as a typical or conventional height or elevation of the foot rest assembly, are determined and used as a basis for determining the angle at which the rotary axis A R ,A R ′ is disposed relative to the main body axis A 12 ,A 112  (or axial direction of the main body  12 , 112 ). 
     According to some embodiments, the rotatable body  16 , 116  is replaceable, such as when the rotatable body  16 , 116  becomes worn down, for example. Conventional foot rest assemblies for motorcycles may be removed from the motorcycle and replaced with a new foot rest assembly, such as when the outer peripheral edge of the foot rest assembly becomes worn down from use. While such removable foot rest assemblies are replaceable, the entire foot rest assembly, or at least the main body, must be replaced even though the primary wear occurs at the outer peripheral edge. According to at least one embodiment, the foot rest assembly  10 , 110  is configured so that the rotatable body  16 , 116  is removable from the foot rest assembly  10 , 110 , which allows for only the rotatable body (or bodies) to be replaced by another rotatable body (or bodies). Thus, according to such embodiments, the entire foot rest assembly or substantial portion thereof need not be replaced, but only the rotatable body (or bodies), which is the part most likely to experience the most wear as it may contact the ground during turns or other vehicle maneuvers. In one embodiment, the axle  34  is removable from the first bore  30  and the second bore  32  of the main body  12 , and is likewise removable from the rotatable body  16 , which then permits the rotatable body  16  from being removed from the foot rest assembly  10 . The axle  34  may then be inserted into another rotatable body, and then inserted into the first bore  30  and the second bore  32  of the main body  12 . Likewise, in one embodiment, the axle  162  is removable from the bore  168  of the rotatable body extension  160 , and is likewise removable from the rotatable body  116 , which then permits the rotatable body  116  from being removed from the foot rest assembly  110 . The axle  162  may then be inserted into another rotatable body, and then inserted into the bore  168  of the rotatable body extension  160 . 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing description is of one or more embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to the disclosed embodiment(s) and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     As used in this specification and claims, the terms “e.g.,” “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation. In addition, the term “and/or” is to be construed as an inclusive OR. Therefore, for example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” is to be interpreted as covering all of the following: “A”; “B”; “C”; “A and B”; “A and C”; “B and C”; and “A, B, and C.” All ranges herein are inclusive unless stated otherwise.