Patent ID: 8123240

Claim:
A leaning vehicle comprising: a frame having a front portion and a rear portion; an engine supported by the frame; a pivotable frame member pivotally connected to the frame, the frame being pivotable relative to the pivotable frame member about a pivot axis between an upright position and a plurality of leaning positions; a front left wheel and a front right wheel disposed on opposite lateral sides of the pivot axis, each of the wheels being connected to the front portion of the frame via a front suspension assembly; each front suspension assembly having: a suspension arm having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to the wheel; and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the pivotable frame member and a lower end connected to the suspension arm; a steering assembly supported by the frame and being operatively connected to the front left wheel and the front right wheel to steer the vehicle; a rear suspension connected to the rear portion of the frame; a rear wheel connected to the frame via the rear suspension; at least one of the wheels being operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; and an actuator having a first portion connected to the frame and a second portion connected to the pivotable frame member, the actuator being operative to selectively pivot the frame with respect to the pivotable frame member about the pivot axis, a torque exerted on the steering assembly in a first direction causing the frame to pivot relative to the pivotable frame member in a second direction opposite the first direction at least when the speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold speed, to steer the vehicle in the second direction; and the actuator urging the frame toward the upright position in response to the frame being in one of the plurality of leaning positions and a speed of the vehicle being below a second threshold speed.