Patent Publication Number: US-2023134397-A1

Title: Straddled vehicle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-178260 filed on Oct. 29, 2021. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to straddled vehicles, and more specifically to an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) and the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As an example of conventional techniques of this kind, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0250282 discloses an RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle). As U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0250282 shows in its  FIG.  35   , the RUV can carry two or more people, and includes a foot board assembly provided between the front wheels and rear wheels in a side view, a saddle seat assembly provided above the foot board assembly, and a handlebar provided ahead of the saddle seat assembly. The foot board assembly includes a first footrest for the rider, a second footrest for a passenger, and a transition portion connecting the first and the second footrests. 
     Normally in this type of vehicle, the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity is considered to be near a vertical line which passes through the center between the front wheel and the rear wheel in a side view. In the RUV disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0250282, the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity is considered to be near a vertical line which passes through the center of the transition portion which connects the first and the second footrests. 
     In this type of RUV, when climbing a steep hill, the front wheels are higher and the vehicle&#39;s body tilts backward such that the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity shifts rearward. Therefore, in the vehicle disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0250282, it is considered that when the RUV tilts until the transition portion becomes horizontal, the RUV&#39;s center of gravity comes to a position which is more rearward than the perpendicular bisector of the transition portion. This limits the posture of the people on the RUV, and may interfere with riding comfort. There is room for improvement in the drivability of the vehicle disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009-0250282. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide straddled vehicles each having improved drivability. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a straddled vehicle includes a body, a front wheel at a front portion of the body, a rear wheel at a rear portion of the body, and a footrest in the body and including a first step and a second step behind the first step and extending diagonally rearward. When a first line segment connects a front end and a rear end of the second step in a side view of the straddled vehicle, and a perpendicular bisector of the first line segment is defined as an imaginary first reference line, a center of gravity of the straddled vehicle is ahead of the first reference line and a grounding point of the rear wheel is behind the first reference line in the side view when the first line segment is horizontal. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the first line segment is horizontal in the side view, the center of gravity of the straddled vehicle is ahead of the first reference line and the grounding point of the rear wheel is behind the first reference line. Therefore, it is possible to increase the freedom of a riding posture. When traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the second step, and assume a comfortable riding posture and therefore enjoy a comfortable ride. Thus, the straddled vehicle is able to provide improved drivability. 
     Preferably, when a second line segment connects a front end and a rear end of the first step in the side view, and a straight line perpendicular to the second line segment and extending through the rear end of the first step is defined as an imaginary second reference line, the center of gravity of the straddled vehicle is behind the second reference line within a range of about 100 mm or is ahead of the second reference line and the grounding point of the rear wheel is behind the second reference line in the side view when the body is horizontal. In this case, in the side view, when the body is horizontal (in a state in which the second line segment is substantially horizontal), the center of gravity of the straddled vehicle is within about 100 mm behind the second reference line or is ahead of the second reference line, and the grounding point of the rear wheel is behind the second reference line. Therefore, it is possible to increase the freedom of a riding posture. When traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step, and assume a comfortable riding posture and therefore enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     Further preferably, the first line segment has an inclination angle with respect to the second line segment within a range of not smaller than about 10 degrees and not greater than about 50 degrees in a side view when the first line segment is horizontal, an angle defined by a straight line connecting a middle point of the first line segment with the center of gravity of the straddled vehicle and the first reference line is within a range of not smaller than about 25 degrees and not greater than about 70 degrees in the side view, and an angle defined by a straight line connecting the middle point of the first line segment with a grounding point of the rear wheel and the first reference line is within a range of not smaller than about 0 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees in the side view. In this case, the rider is able to travel more comfortably when traveling on uphill ground. 
     Further, preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes a handle provided in the body at a more forward position than the rear wheel when the first line segment is horizontal, wherein a location where the handle is attached to the body is ahead of the first reference line in the side view when the body is horizontal, and the location where the handle is attached is ahead of the second reference line in the side view. In this case, in the side view, the handle attaching position is not only ahead of the first reference line when the first line segment is horizontal, but also is ahead of the second reference line when the body is horizontal (when the second line segment is substantially horizontal). Therefore, regardless of whether the ground is flat or uphill, it is possible to stabilize the positional relationship between the rider and the handle, and therefore the rider is able to enjoy his/her ride more comfortably. 
     Preferably, when the first line segment is horizontal, the handle is within a range of not smaller than about −10 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees with respect to the first reference line in the side view when the body is horizontal, and the handle is within a range of not smaller than about 15 degrees and not greater than about 40 degrees with respect to the second reference line in the side view. In this case, the rider is able to travel more comfortably when traveling on uphill ground. 
     Further preferably, the first step is where a rider puts his/her foot when the body is horizontal, and the second step is where the rider puts his/her foot when the body is inclined. In this case, when traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the first step. On the other hand, when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the second step. In each of the cases the rider is able to enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     Further, preferably, the first step is substantially horizontal when the body is horizontal. In this case, when traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the first step and enjoy a more comfortable ride. 
     Preferably, the second step includes a region where the foot is placed such that a line which connects a front end and a rear end thereof rises rearward. In this case, when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the second step and enjoy a more comfortable ride. 
     Further preferably, the first step has a length not smaller than about 250 mm, and a width not smaller than about 130 mm. In this case, when traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the first step securely. 
     Further preferably, the second step has a length not smaller than about 100 mm, and a width not smaller than about 90 mm. In this case, when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the second step securely. 
     Preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes an anti-slip surface provided on the first step. In this case, the rider is not only helped by the primary function of the anti-slip surface, but also feels the anti-slip on his/her sole thus recognizing the position of the first step, and therefore is able to put his/her foot easily onto the first step. 
     Further preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes an anti-slip surface provided on the second step. In this case, the rider is not only helped by the primary function of the anti-slip surface, but also feels the anti-slip surface on his/her sole thus recognizing the position of the second step, and therefore is able to put his/her foot easily onto the second step. 
     Further, preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes a discharge hole provided in the first step. In this case, even if the footrest becomes dirty with water, mud, and other foreign matters, it is possible to discharge these foreign matters smoothly from the hole in the first step. 
     Preferably, the footrest includes a surface continuous from the first step to the second step. In this case, it is possible to switch foot positions smoothly between the first step and the second step. 
     Further preferably, the surface includes a flat surface in each of the first step and the second step. In this case, it is possible to put the foot comfortably on each of the first step and the second step. 
     Further, preferably, the first step includes a slanted surface such that an outboard side of the slanted surface is higher than an inboard side in a width direction of the vehicle. In this case, it is possible to provide the rider with options of riding positions. 
     Preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes a seat provided in the body. With this arrangement, a front end of the first step is located at a more forward position than a front end of the seat in a side view of the straddled vehicle and a rear end of the first step is located at a more forward position than a rear end of the seat in the side view. In this case, when performing a standing ride on flat ground, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the first step and also use his/her knees to sandwich the saddle-style seat to provide a comfortable ride. 
     Further preferably, the straddled vehicle further includes a seat provided in the body, and the front end and the rear end of the second step end are located at more forward positions than a rear end of the seat in the side view. In this case, when performing a standing ride on uphill ground, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the second step and also use his/her knees to sandwich the saddle-style seat to enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     It is noted here that in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the term “grounding point of the rear wheel” refers to a contact point of the rear wheel with a horizontal surface, and if the rear wheel is in surface contact with the horizontal surface, the term refers to the center of the contact surface in the side view. 
     Also, if the first step and the second step are connected with each other by a curved line in the side view, an imaginary point of intersection between an extension of the first step and an extension of the second step is obtained when the body is horizontal as a reference, and then, a point of intersection of a vertical line extending through the imaginary intersection and the curved line is taken as the rear end of the first step and the front end of the second step. 
     The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view which shows a straddled vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view which shows the straddled vehicle in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an illustration of a section of a footrest. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view which shows the footrest. 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view which shows the footrest. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a sectional A-A end view of the footrest. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a sectional B-B end view of the footrest. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view which shows a riding posture in a situation when a first line segment is horizontal. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view which shows a riding posture when a body is horizontal. 
         FIG.  9    is an illustrative drawing which shows another example of an anti-slip surface provided on the footrest. 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged partial view of the anti-slip surface shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  are illustrative drawings for describing a rear end of a center step and a front end of a rear step. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     In the drawings, “Fr” indicates forward, “Rr” indicates rearward, “R” indicates rightward, “L” indicates leftward, “U” indicates upward, and “Lo” indicates downward. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , a straddled vehicle  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a four-wheel type ATV for one person, and includes a body  12 , a pair of front wheels  14  provided in a forward portion of the body  12 , a pair of rear wheels  16  provided in a rearward portion of the body  12 , a bar handle  18  provided in the body  12 , a saddle-style seat  20  provided in the body  12 , and a pair of footrests  22  provided in the body  12 . Note that  FIG.  1    shows only left ones of the pair of rear wheels  16  and the pair of footrests  22 . The bar handle  18  is provided at an intermediate region in the vehicle&#39;s width direction, and in a side view at a position above the front wheels  14  and more forward than the rear wheels  16 . The saddle-style seat  20  is provided at an intermediate portion in the vehicle&#39;s width direction, and in a side view at a higher position than the front wheels  14  and the rear wheels  16 , between the front wheels  14  and the rear wheels  16 . 
     Hereinafter, the left footrest  22  will be described. The pair of footrests  22  are symmetrical to each other, and the right footrest  22  is arranged essentially the same as the left footrest  22 , so description therefor will be skipped. 
     Referring also to  FIG.  3    through  FIG.  5   , the footrest  22  is for the rider to put his/her foot, is provided between the front wheel  14  and the rear wheel  16  in a side view, and includes a center step  24 , a front step  26 , and a rear step  28 . 
     The center step  24  is where the rider puts his/her foot when the body is horizontal, and is substantially horizontal when the body is horizontal. For example, the center step  24  is angled with respect to the horizontal plane with a forward and downward inclination of not smaller than about 0 degrees and not greater than about 4 degrees. Also, the center step  24  includes a slanted surface  24   a  which has an outboard side higher than an inboard side in a width direction of the vehicle (see  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ). 
     The front step  26  is provided ahead of the center step  24  and extends diagonally upward and forward. In other words, the front step  26  inclines diagonally upward and forward with respect to the center step  24 . This gives the footrest  22  an angle of attack at its front portion. 
     The rear step  28  is provided behind the center step  24  and extends diagonally rearward. The rear step  28  is a portion where the rider is able to put his/her foot when the body is tilted, and is oriented such that a line which connects a front end E 1  with a rear end E 2  of a foot-resting area rises rearward. In other words, the rear step  28  inclines diagonally upward and rearward with respect to the center step  24  so that a rear portion of the rear step  28  is at a higher position than the center step  24 . 
     The footrest  22  includes a surface S that is continuous from the center step  24  through the rear step  28 . The surface S has flat surfaces P 1 , P 2  in the center step  24  and the rear step  28  respectively. Preferably, the center step  24  has a length not smaller than about 250 mm, and a width not smaller than about 130 mm; and the rear step  28  has a length not smaller than about 100 mm and a width not smaller than about 90 mm. 
     The center step  24  is further provided with anti-slip surfaces  30 ,  32  and a hole  34  to discharge foreign matters. The anti-slip surface  30  is, for example, bar-shaped, and extends in a width direction of the vehicle in an area slightly behind a fore-aft center of the center step  24 . The anti-slip surface  30  includes a metal plate  30   a  which has serration-shaped spikes. The anti-slip surface  32  extends in a fore-aft direction in an outboard end region of the center step  24 . The anti-slip surface  32  includes a concavo-convex portion  32   a  including a large number of cone-shaped convexities. The hole  34  is provided on a front inboard side of the center step  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the center step  24  includes a front end E 3  at a more forward position than a front end E 5  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. The center step  24  has a rear end E 4  at a more forward position than a rear end E 6  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. The front end E 1  and the rear end E 2  of the rear step  28  are at more forward positions than the rear end E 6  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  7   , in a side view, a first line segment L 1  connects the front end E 1  and the rear end E 2  of the rear step  28 , and a perpendicular bisector of the first line segment L 1  is an imaginary first reference line R 1 . In this case, in a side view, when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  is ahead of the first reference line R 1  and a grounding point C 1  of the rear wheel  16  is behind the first reference line R 1 . 
     Now assume further that “a” represents an inclination angle of the first line segment L 1  with respect to a second line segment L 2 ; “b” represents an angle defined by a straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  with the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  and the first reference line R 1 ; and “c” represents an angle defined by a straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  and the grounding point C 1  of the rear wheel  16  and the first reference line R 1 . In this case, the inclination angle “a” is within a range of not smaller than about 10 degrees and not greater than about 50 degrees in a side view; and when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, the angle “b” is within a range of not smaller than about 25 degrees and not greater than about 70 degrees in a side view; and the angle “c” is within a range of not smaller than about 0 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees in a side view. 
     In a side view, when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, an attaching position  18   a  of the bar handle  18  is ahead of the first reference line R 1 . Also, in a side view, when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, the bar handle  18  (the center of the grip) is within a range of not smaller than about −10 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees with respect to the first reference line R 1 . In other words, assume an angle “d” as an angle defined by a straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  with the center of grip of the bar handle  18  and the first reference line R 1 . In this case, the angle “d” is within a range of not smaller than about −10 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees in a side view. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  8   , in a side view, assume an imaginary second reference line R 2  is a straight line perpendicular to the second line segment L 2  that connects the front end E 3  and the rear end E 4  of the center step  24 , and extends through the rear end E 4  of the center step  24 . In this case, in a side view, when the body is horizontal, i.e., in a state where the straddled vehicle  10  is on a horizontal plane (under a state in which the second line segment L 2  is substantially horizontal), the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  is behind the second reference line R 2  within a range of about 100 mm or is ahead of the second reference line R 2 , and a grounding point C 2  of the rear wheel  16  is behind the second reference line R 2 . In other words, in the side view, when the body is horizontal, the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  is ahead of a line R 3  parallel to the second reference line R 2  about 100 mm behind the second reference line R 2 , and the grounding point C 2  of the rear wheel  16  is behind the second reference line R 2 . 
     In a side view, when the body is horizontal, the attaching position  18   a  of the bar handle  18  is ahead of the second reference line R 2 . Also, in a side view, when the body is horizontal, the bar handle  18  (the center of the grip) is within a range of not smaller than about 15 degrees and not greater than about 40 degrees with respect to the second reference line R 2 . In other words, assume an angle “e” as an angle defined by a straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  with the center of grip of the bar handle  18  and the second reference line R 2 . In this case, the angle “e” is within a range of not smaller than about 15 degrees and not greater than about 40 degrees in a side view. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the center step  24  represents the first step and the rear step  28  represents the second step. 
     According to the straddled vehicle  10  described thus far, in a side view, when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  is ahead of the first reference line R 1  and the grounding point C 1  of the rear wheel  16  is behind the first reference line R 1 . Therefore, it is possible to increase the freedom of a riding posture. When traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle  10 , the rider is able to put his/her foot on the rear step  28 , and assume a comfortable riding posture and therefore enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     In a side view, when the body is horizontal (in the state in which the second line segment L 2  is substantially horizontal), the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  is within about 100 mm behind the second reference line R 2  or is ahead of the second reference line R 2 , and the grounding point C 2  of the rear wheel  16  is behind the second reference line R 2 . Therefore, it is possible to increase the freedom of a riding posture. When traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle  10 , the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  24 , and assume a comfortable riding posture and therefore enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     When the inclination angle “a” of the first line segment L 1  with respect to the second line segment L 2  is within the range of not smaller than about 10 degrees and not greater than about 50 degrees and the first line segment L 1  is horizontal in a side view, the angle “b” defined by the straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  with the center of gravity G of the straddled vehicle  10  and the first reference line R 1  is within the range of not smaller than about 25 degrees and not greater than about 70 degrees in the side view, and the angle “c” defined by the straight line which connects the middle point M of the first line segment L 1  with the grounding point C 1  of the rear wheel  16  and the first reference line R 1  is within the range of not smaller than about 0 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees in the side view. With this arrangement, the rider is able to enjoy his/her ride more comfortably when traveling on uphill ground. 
     In a side view, the attaching position  18   a  of the bar handle  18  is not only ahead of the first reference line R 1  when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, but also is ahead of the second reference line R 2  when the body is horizontal (when the second line segment L 2  is substantially horizontal). Therefore, regardless of whether the ground is flat or uphill, it is possible to stabilize the positional relationship between the rider and the bar handle  18 , and therefore the rider is able to enjoy his/her ride more comfortably. 
     In a side view, when the first line segment L 1  is horizontal, the bar handle  18  is within the range of not smaller than about −10 degrees and not greater than about 35 degrees with respect to the first reference line R 1 . In a side view, when the body is horizontal (when the second line segment L 2  is substantially horizontal), the bar handle  18  is within the range of not smaller than about 15 degrees and not greater than about 40 degrees with respect to the second reference line R 2 . Therefore, the rider is able to travel more comfortably when traveling on uphill ground. 
     When traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle  10 , the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  24 . On the other hand, when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle  10 , the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  28 . In each of the cases the rider is able to enjoy a comfortable ride. 
     Since the center step  24  is substantially horizontal when the body is horizontal, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  24  and enjoy his/her ride more comfortably when traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle  10 . 
     The rear step  28  is oriented so that the line which connects the front end E 1  with the rear end E 2  of the foot-resting area rises rearward. Therefore, when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle  10 , the rider is able to put his/her foot on the rear step  28 , and enjoy his/her ride more comfortably. 
     Since the center step  24  has the length not smaller than about 250 mm and the width not smaller than about 130 mm, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  24  securely when traveling on flat ground with the straddled vehicle  10 . 
     Since the rear step  28  has the length not smaller than about 100 mm and the width not smaller than about 90 mm, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the rear step  28  securely when traveling on uphill ground with the straddled vehicle  10 . 
     Since the center step  24  has the anti-slip surface  30 , the rider is not only helped by the primary function of the anti-slip surface, but also feel the anti-slip surface  30  on his/her sole thus recognizing where the center step  24  is, and able to put his/her foot easily onto the center step  24 . 
     Even if the footrest  22  becomes dirty with water, mud, and other foreign matters, they can be smoothly discharged from the hole  34  in the center step  24 . 
     Since the footrest  22  includes the surface S continuous from the center step  24  through the rear step  28 , the rider is able to smoothly switch positions of his/her foot between the center step  24  and the rear step  28 . 
     Since the surface S of the footrest  22  has the flat planes P 1 , P 2  respectively in the center step  24  and the rear step  28 , the rider is able to put his/her foot comfortably on each of the center step  24  and the rear step  28 . 
     Since the center step  24  includes the slanted surface  24   a  which has an outboard side higher than an inboard side in the vehicle&#39;s width direction, it is possible to provide the rider with options of riding positions. 
     The front end E 3  of the center step  24  is at a more forward position than the front end E 5  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. The rear end E 4  of the center step  24  is at a more forward position than the rear end E 6  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. Therefore, when performing a standing ride on flat ground, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the center step  24  and also use his/her knees to sandwich the saddle-style seat  20  to provide a comfortable ride. 
     The front end E 1  and the rear end E 2  of the rear step  28  are at more forward positions than the rear end E 6  of the saddle-style seat  20  in a side view. Therefore, when performing a standing ride on uphill ground, the rider is able to put his/her foot on the rear step  28  and also use his/her knees to sandwich the saddle-style seat  20  to provide a comfortable ride. 
     With the arrangement that the footrest  22  has an angle of attack at its front portion, it is possible to deflect obstacles from ahead with the front portion of the footrest  22  during riding. 
     It is noted here with reference to  FIG.  5   , that the rear step  28  may have an anti-slip surface  36 . The anti-slip surface  36  includes two metal plates  36   a  which have serration-shaped spikes. Each metal plate  36   a  extends in a fore-aft direction on the rear step  28 . By providing the rear step  28  with the anti-slip surface  36  as described, the rider is not only helped by the primary function of the anti-slip surface, but also feel the anti-slip  36  on his/her sole thus recognizing where the rear step  28  is, and able to put his/her foot easily onto the rear step  28 . 
     As another arrangement, the center step  24  may be provided with an anti-slip surface  38  as shown in  FIG.  9    and  FIG.  10   , instead of the anti-slip surface  30 . For example, the anti-slip surface  38  may include a large number of cone-shaped convexities, and is integral with the center step  24 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear end of the center step and the front end of the rear step are determined in the manner described below. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11 A , in a case where the center step and the rear step are connected with each other in a folding fashion in a side view, a point of intersection X 1  between the center step and the rear step is taken as the rear end of the center step and the front end of the rear step. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11 B , in a case where the center step and the rear step are connected with each other by a curved line in a side view, an imaginary point of intersection X 2  between an extension of the center step and an extension of the rear step is obtained. Using a case when the body is horizontal as a reference, a point of intersection X 3  made by a vertical line V extending through the imaginary intersection X 2  and the curved line is taken as the rear end of the center step and the front end of the rear step. The footrest  22  shown in  FIG.  3    represents the present case. 
     Also, preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the case where the center step and the rear step are connected with (continuous to) each other. They may be spaced apart from each other. There may be a step provided between the center step and the rear step. 
     The center step and the rear step may each be a surface formed by a combination of a plurality of flat surfaces. Also, the steps are not limited to flat surfaces but may be curved surfaces. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, description was made for a case where the center step  24  is slanted and becomes higher as it extends outboard of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear step may also be slanted and become higher as it extends outboard of the vehicle. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, description was made for a case where the footrest  22  includes a front step  26 . However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the footrest need not necessarily include a front step. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, description was made for a case where the straddled vehicle  10  includes a pair of front wheels  14  and a pair of rear wheels  16 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to a straddled vehicle which includes a front and rear wheels, including a plurality of at least one of the front and rear wheels. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.