Shock-Absorbing Handlebar Mount

A steering system for an off-road vehicle comprising:

• a steering stem configured to couple with a linkage for steering front wheels of the off-road vehicle, and having an upper and a lower side;
• a handlebar;
• a mount including a yoke assembly coupled to the handlebar, and a first and a second clamping mechanism attaching the yoke assembly to the steering stem;
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each including an upper and a lower clamping block, an upper shock absorber positioned between the corresponding upper clamping block and the yoke assembly, and a lower shock absorber;
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each further including a bolt coupled with the yoke assembly and holding the corresponding clamping blocks and shock absorbers in compression against the steering stem, such that the upper and lower clamping blocks are clamped into abutment against the upper and lower sides of the steering stem;
• and
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each further including an alignment key extending through the steering stem and coupling together the corresponding upper and lower clamping blocks.

A kit for retrofitting a shock-absorbing handlebar mount to a steering stem in an off-road vehicle comprising:

• a package;
• a handlebar mount within the package, and including a yoke assembly configured to couple with a tubular section of a handlebar, and a first and a second clamping mechanism configured to attach the handlebar mount to the steering stem;
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each including an upper and a lower clamping block positionable in abutment against an upper and a lower side of the steering stem, respectively, an upper shock absorber positionable between the corresponding upper clamping block and the yoke assembly, and a lower shock absorber;
• each of the upper and lower clamping blocks and the upper and lower shock absorbers defining a through-bore;
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each further including a bolt configured to couple the corresponding upper and lower clamping blocks and upper and lower shock absorbers to the yoke assembly, and to couple the handlebar mount to the steering stem;
• each of the bolts defining a clamping axis extending between a first bolt end configured to couple with the yoke assembly, and a second bolt end, and being rotatable when received through the corresponding through-bores to clamp the steering stem between the corresponding upper and lower clamping blocks;
• and
• the first and second clamping mechanisms each further including an alignment key configured to couple together the corresponding upper and lower clamping blocks to inhibit non-axial displacement thereof.