Patent ID: 8602421

Claim:
A leaning vehicle comprising: a frame having a front portion and a rear portion; a straddle seat mounted on the frame; an engine supported by the frame; a shock tower having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the shock tower being pivotally connected to the front portion of the frame, the frame being pivotable relative to the shock tower about a pivot axis between an upright position and a plurality of leaning positions; a front left suspension assembly and a front right suspension assembly operatively connected to the front portion of the frame; a steering assembly adapted to steer the vehicle, the steering assembly having a steering column supported by the frame and a handlebar connected to the steering column; and a rear suspension connected to the rear portion of the frame, each front suspension assembly comprising: a spindle having an upper end and a lower end; a lower suspension arm having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle; a leaning rod having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to the upper end of the spindle via a ball joint; and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.