Patent ID: 7213669

Claim:
A snowmobile, comprising: a frame; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame; first and second seat positions defined by the seat; an engine disposed on the frame in front of the seat; a drive track disposed below the frame and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile; a forward-most drive track axle disposed on the frame; two skis disposed on the frame; a steering device having a steering position; and a steering shaft operatively connecting the two skis to the steering device for steering the snowmobile, wherein the steering shaft is disposed over the engine at an angle ε of less than 45° from vertical, the first seat position is disposed less than 590 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle, the second seat position is disposed behind the first seat position by between 265 mm and 365 mm, and the steering position is disposed forward of the forward-most drive track axle.