Patent ID: 7150348

Claim:
An ergonomic manual clutch actuator assembly for a straddle-type vehicle, the clutch actuator assembly comprising: a manual clutch lever pivotally mounted to a handlebar of a straddle-type vehicle adjacent to a hand grip; a clutch cable connected to the clutch lever so that retraction of the clutch lever draws the clutch cable, and release of the clutch lever releases the clutch cable; and a clutch actuator mechanism provided within a housing of the straddle-type vehicle proximate to a distal end of a clutch shaft extending from a clutch, the clutch actuator mechanism cooperating with the clutch shaft and being operably connected to the clutch cable so that when the cable is drawn, the clutch actuator mechanism biases the clutch shaft and disengages the clutch, and when the cable is released, the clutch shaft is released to engage the clutch; wherein a first predefined force is required to pivot the clutch lever away from a normal extended position, a second predefined force is required to further pivot the clutch lever to an intermediate position, the second force being greater than the first force, and a third predefined force is required to maintain the clutch lever in a retracted position, the third force being less than the second force, thereby reducing operator fatigue; and wherein the third force is less than the first force.