Engine assembly having a cover

An engine assembly having a crankcase, a crankshaft having a crankshaft gear and a balance shaft having a balance shaft gear, the crankshaft gear and the balance shaft gear each having a radial side, the crankshaft gear mechanically coupled to the balance shaft gear, the engine assembly comprising:

• a cover having a first cover portion, the first cover portion comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion comprising a back wall and a pair of side walls, a bottom portion comprising the back wall and the pair of side walls;
• the back wall of the top portion extends along a first arc, a portion of the first arc being spaced apart from an outer edge of the crankshaft gear, and wherein each of the pair of side walls of the top portion covers a respective portion of a circumferential edge of the crankshaft gear, the pair of side walls are spaced apart from the back wall of the top portion and the back wall of the bottom portion, the pair of side walls extending to a distal edge so as to define a side opening on either side, wherein the radial sides of the crankshaft gear and the balance shaft gear are at least partially exposed;
• and the back wall of the bottom portion extends along a second arc, a portion of the second arc being spaced apart from a first radius of the balance shaft gear, and wherein each of the pair of side walls of the bottom portion covering a respective portion of a circumferential edge of the balance shaft gear.