Patent ID: 8235398

Claim:
A method of operating a leaning vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a frame having a front portion and a rear portion; a pivotable frame member pivotally connected to the frame about a generally horizontal pivot axis, the frame being pivotable relative to the pivotable frame member between an upright position and a plurality of leaning positions; a steering assembly supported by the frame for steering 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; the method comprising: determining a steering torque exerted on the steering assembly; determining a speed of travel of the vehicle; determining a leaning angle of the frame with respect to a reference angle; and exerting a leaning torque on the frame relative to the pivotable frame member about the pivot axis in a first direction using the actuator in response to a steering torque exerted on the steering assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction when the speed of travel is above a threshold speed, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in the first direction.