Technical Field
[1] The present invention generally relates to a saddle-type vehicle and particularly, but not exclusively relates to a side trim assembly for said saddle-type vehicle. Background
[2] Typically, body frames of two-wheeled vehicles including saddle-type vehicles are made of tubular members welded together to form a'skeletal load bearing framework. Further, body panels are assembled over said plurality of tubular members to complete the body and to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the saddle-type vehicle.
[3] Typically, in a saddle-type vehicle while a rider rests his feet on a floorboard of said vehicle, a pillion rider rests his feet on a pillion footrest member, each disposed on either sides of said floorboard. In one known art, a rear .. end on both sides of said floorboard is widened to accommodate said pillion footrest member in the floorboard. Widening of the floorboard in order to accommodate the pillion footrest member leads to an increase in width of the floorboard and an overall increase in width of said saddle-type vehicle. Particularly, widening of the floorboard leads to an increase in width near a side portion close to the side panel of the saddle-type vehicle. Increased width along the side portion of said vehicle affects ground reachability of the rider, as the legs of the rider dangle wider on either side about the side portion of the vehicle, preventing the rider from placing his entire foot on the ground while he/she tries to temporarily halt the vehicle in traffic conditions. Further, extending the floorboard for accommodating the pillion footrest member leads to overhang in the floorboard, finally affecting rigidity of the floorboard, leading to breakage in the floorboard. Moreover, one known art which teaches providing the footrest' member in the rear end of the floorboard, also teaches about providing an integral pip protruding sidewardly from a portion of the pillion footrest member and further extending forwardly, for facilitating a pillion rider to access the pillion footrest member with his foot, while being seated on a pillion seat. However, providing said pip to extend sidewardly and forwardly results in the integral pip

digging into the legs of the rider while he/she places his/her foot on the ground and when the footrest member is in an extended position; resulting in injury to the rider's legs.
[4] In another known an, in order to prevent widening of the floorboard, a side trim member assembled to a side portion of the floorboard, and extending up to a side panel of said saddle-type vehicle, is adapted to accommodate the pillion footrest member. Particularly, the pillion footrest member is accommodated in a wide cut out provided in said side trim" member. In other words, in its non-extended condition said pillion footrest member rests in the cut out provided in the side trim member, and remains inaccessible to the pillion rider seated on the pillion seat, causing the pillion rider to pull the pillion footrest member with his hands before sitting on the pillion seat. Moreover, inner side portions of said cut . out accommodating the pillion footrest-member also remain inaccessible for.reach of a painting tool, thereby leaving a substantial portion of the side trim member being unpainted, resulting in poor appearance of the side trim member when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction. Further, there is also a problem of dust and rust accumulation in the cut out provided to accommodate said footrest member.
[5] The design degrees of freedom associated with the side trim member described in the known arts is also less. For example, flexibility with regard to the use of multiple colours and textures for improving overall aesthetic appeal of the saddle-type vehicle is limited in the side trim construction described in the prior arts.
[6] It is therefore desirable to address problems encountered in the .prior arts. Summary of the Invention
[7] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. [8] It is an object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim assembly for accommodating at least a portion of a pillion footrest member.
[9] It is another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim assembly capable of accommodating a pillion

footrest member while ensuring that said pillion footrest member remains easily accessible for a pillion rider seated on a pillion seat.
[10] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim assembly with improved design degrees of freedom. [11] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim assembly whose construction as per the present invention aids in maintaining the side trim assembly independent of variations in position of pillion footrest member.
[12] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim assembly whose construction aids in improving overall aesthetic appeal of the saddle-type vehicle.
[13] To this end, the present invention seeks to provide a saddle-type vehicle including a side trim-assembly secured to at least.a portion of said saddle-type . vehicle. The saddle-type vehicle as per an embodiment of the present invention includes a body frame comprising a head tube, a main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube, a pair of floorboard support tubes connected to the main tube and extending parallely to at least a portion of said main tube, a front cross bridge bridging the pair of floorboard support tubes at a rear end • thereof, and a pair of side tubes extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwardly from the front cross bridge. Various body panels including a pair of bottom panels, a floorboard panel and a side cover member etc. are secured to different parts of said body frame to cover different portions of the body frame. For example, while said floorboard panel is secured to said pair of floorboard support tubes, said side cover member covers a portion of each side tube of said pair of side tubes, and is disposed above a rear end of said floorboard panel, on either sides of said floorboard panel. Further, said pair of bottom panels is disposed below a front panel of said saddle-type vehicle, with at least a portion of said bottom panels adjoining a front end of said floorboard panel, on either sides of said floorboard panel. The side trim assembly as per an aspect of the present invention is disposed on either sides of said floorboard panel, and extends along a peripheral portion of said floorboard panel. Particularly, the side trim assembly is

disposed on a left side and a right side of said floorboard panel, extending from a rear portion of each bottom panel of the pair of bottom panels up to a peripheral portion of said side cover member.
[14] The side trim assembly as per an aspect of the present invention comprises at least two side trim members including a first side trim member and a second 'side trim member. As per another aspect of the present invention, said first side trim member is detachably attached to said second side trim member. Further, while-said first side trim member extends substantially along a length of said floorboard, said second side trim member which is disposed rearwardly of said first side trim member, when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction, extends substantially inclinediy rearwardly towards a side panel of said saddle-type vehicle.
[15] As per one more.aspect of the present invention, said .second side trim.. . member is adapted to accommodate at least a portion of a pillion footrest member mounted to said body frame of said saddle-type vehicle. Particularly, said second side trim member is disposed substantially parallel to said pillion footrest member and includes a substantially circular cut-out for allowing passage of said footrest member. Further, said second side trim member includes a stepped surface formed along an outer periphery thereof for accommodating said pillion footrest member resting substantially upwardly and inclinediy with respect to said floorboard panel. Easy accessibility of the pillion footrest member is facilitated as the.pillion footrest member is allowed to rest against at least a portion of said stepped surface. Furthermore, an upper portion of said stepped surface extending towards a rear of said vehicle is tapered at its end. Tapering an end of said stepped surface ensures that the same does not injure a foot of the pillion rider while he/she tries to push the pillion footrest member resting against said stepped surface. [16] As per yet another aspect of the present invention, the side trim assembly comprising said first side trim member and said second side trim member are sub-assembled at a sub assembly station followed by assembly to portions of said vehicle. Further, said pillion footrest member which is previously mounted to at least a portion of the body frame is allowed to pass through said circular cut out in

said second side trim member and to rest against said stepped surface of'said
second side trim member. Thus, since the pillion footrest member is supported
against said second side trim member after sub-assembly of said side trim
assembly, it is ensured that the problem of paint uncoverage of the second side
trim member is prevented. Moreover, detachable attachment of said second side
trim member to said first side trim member provides for improved design degrees
of freedom.
[17] Thus, the construction of the side trim assembly for accommodating said
pillion footrest member in accordance with principles of the present invention,
ensures that there is no widening of either the floorboard panel or the side panel,
and thereby aids in ensuring that ground reachability of the rider is not affected.
[18] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and
does not limit the.scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic .
features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following
descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[19] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject
matter will be better understood with regard-to the following description and
accompanying drawings where:
[20] FIG.la illustrates a side view of a saddle-type vehicle including a side
trim assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention..
[21 ] FIG.lb illustrates an enlarged rear view of a handlebar of said saddle-type
vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[22] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a body frame of said saddle-type vehicle
covered by various covers in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[23] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of a floorboard
panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[24] FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of a side trim
assembly to at least a portion of said floorboard panel in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.

[25] FIG.Sa. illustrates a side view of said side trim assembly depicting
relative position of said side trim assembly with respect to a side cover member.
[26] FIG.5b illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG.5a
depicting mounting of a side cover member to at least a portion of said side trim
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[27] FIG.6a illustrates a perspective view of said side trim assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[28] FIG.6b illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line B-B shown in
FIG.6a.
[29] ' FIG.7 illustrates a front perspective view of a second side trim member of
said side trim assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[30] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of a side trim assembly of a saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms "upper", '"lower", "right", "left", "front", "forward", "rearward", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom" and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of said vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said saddle-type vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [31] FIG.l is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.l, said saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a body frame 11 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of a metal, alloy or a polymeric material, which is covered by various body covers. The body frame 11 supports a steering

assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar 1 in a front portion thereof. A front fork assembly 2 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar 1 provided above the front fork assembly 2 allows steering of a front wheel 3.
[32] Further, said handlebar 1 is covered from outside by a handlebar cover panel la. Said handlebar cover panel la is adapted to accommodate a plurality of switches on its either sides as switch clusters. In one embodiment, a first cover sub panel laf accommodating a first set of switches (I) is detachably attached to a left side portion of said handlebar cover panel la. Similarly, a second cover sub panel las accommodating a second set of switches (II) is detachably attached to a right side portion of said handlebar cover panel la. In the present embodiment, said first set of switches (I) and said second set of switches (II) are sub assembled .. to said first cover sub panel laf and said second cover sub panel .las respectively.. .. For example, on a LH side of said handlebar cover panel la, switches such as a beam control switch for aiding in switching a headlamp beam from high beam to low beam or vice versa, a turn signal lamp switch for indicating left or right turn, and a horn switch are accommodated. Further, on a RH side switches such as an engine kill- switch lae, an electric start switch and a Ii«htin2 switch are accommodated. Particularly, said engine kill switch lae is used for disabling ignition. It is also configured to disable the engine electric/kick start in order to completely immobilise said vehicle, whenever required. For example, for operating a "kill mode" in order to disable the ignition, said kill switch has to be pressed in an upward direction (away from rider). When said kill mode is activated, a speedometer (not shown) of said vehicle and DC lamps are illuminated. A "run mode" for enabling ignition along with electric/ kick start, is made operational by pressing said kill switch in a downward direction (towards the rider). In an embodiment, functionality of said engine kill switch lae is controlled by a vehicle TCI unit.
[33] For improving the overall appeal of said handlebar cover panel la, said engine kill switch lae located on the RH side is provided as a replica of said beam control switch located on LH side of said handlebar cover panel la. Further,

location of said kill switch lae is such that it is accessible to the rider without his
having to take his hand off a throttle on said handlebar 1. In one embodiment, said
kill switch is provided as a modular type switch so as to be fixed from a top side
of said second cover sub panel las unlike conventional switches. An advantage of
providing a modular type switch is that it can be easily replaced individually
without having to replace the entire cluster of switches.
[34] With reference to FIG.la, a headlamp unit 4 is disposed in a front panel
llf covering a front portion of the body frame 11 of said vehicle 10.
[35] The body frame 11 supports the front panel llf in its front portion, to
cover a forward facing side thereof. A front fender 6 disposed below said front
panel llf is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 3, in order to
prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 3 from striking parts
lying behind the-front wheel 3. A rear panel 7.is provided.to cover a rearward
facing side of the body frame 11. The rear panel 7 acts as a leg shield and protects
a rider's legs placed on a floorboard panel 12 from a running wind blowing in a
direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. A side trim assembly
15 is disposed on either sides of said floorboard panel 12.
[36] Left and right- side panels 16 are disposed to cover left and right side
surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame 11. A seat 22 is disposed above the
left and right side panels 16. A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat
22.
[37] A fuel tank (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of said vehicle, and is
supported between a pair of side tubes lid (shown in FIG.2) of said body frame
11. The fuel tank forms a part of a fuel supply system which also includes a fuel
pump (not shown), a canister (not shown), and a throttle body (not shown). The
fuel tank supplies fuel for powering an engine 30. The engine 30 including a
cylinder head (not shown) and a cylinder block (not shown) is powered by an air
fuel mixture sent in by the throttle body to a combustion chamber of the engine
30.
[38] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 30 is let out as exhaust
from a muffler extending along a right hand side of the saddle-type vehicle 10.

[39] A toggle link member (not shown) supports the engine 30 swingably on a lower side of the left and right side panels 16. A rear wheel 35 is connected to the tousle link member via the engine 30. Power from the ensine 30 is transmitted to the rear wheel 35 for driving said vehicle 10 by means of a transmission assembly.
[40] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) includes the front fork assembly 2. Further, a rear suspension assembly is provided which is a hydraulic damped arrangement and is connected to the body frame 11. In the present embodiment, said rear suspension assembly includes two rear suspension members 20, connected to the rear portion of the body frame 11.
[41] For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a taillight 45. and a.pair of turn signal lamps is also.provided in the.rear portion of... said saddle-type vehicle 10.
[42] Referring to FIG.2, details of the body frame 11 and that of various body covers attached to said body frame 11 is elaborated. As may be seen, said body frame 11 comprises a head tube 11a, a main tube lib extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 11a, a pair of floorboard support tubes lie connected to said main tube lib and extending parallely to at least a portion of said main tube lib, a first cross bridge (not shown) bridging the pair of floorboard support tubes at a rear end thereof and a pair of side tubes lid extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from said first cross bridge. In the present embodiment, said pair of floorboard support tubes lie are provided to extend sidewardly from either sides of said main tube lib and further extend parallely to at least a portion of the main tube lib and be connected with the front cross bridge (not shown) at a rear end thereof.
[43] The body frame 11 further comprises a second cross bridge 19 (shown in FIG.4) bridging a front portion of said pair of side tubes lid. Said second cross bridge 19 receives mounting of a utility box (not shown) of said saddle-type vehicle. The body frame 11 also supports a side stand mounting bracket 22a (shown in FIG.4) for receiving a side stand (not shown). The side stand mounting

bracket 22a integrally includes a provision 22b (shown in FIG.4) for accommodating a side stand indicator switch (not shown).
[44] The body frame 11 as described above is covered by different body covers. For example, a front portion of said body frame 11 is covered by said front panel llf and a pair of bottom panels 13 attached to said front panel llf, with each bottom panel of said pair of bottom panels 13 being disposed on either sides of said front panel llf. The front panel llf and said pair of bottom panels 13 thus disposed cover the head tube 11a and a front portion of said main tube lib. Further, said side trim assembly 15 is provided which is disposed on either sides of the floorboard panel 12, with at least a portion of side trim assembly 15 being attached to each bottom panel of said pair of bottom panels 13 on one end, and attached to a side cover member 14 each at its other end. Thus, the side trim .assembly 15 extends from behind each bottom panel of said pair, of-bottom panels 13 up to said side cover member 14, extending along a peripheral portion of said side cover member 14. The side trim assembly 15 thus extends throughout a length of said floorboard panel 12 and covers a side portion of said pair of floorboard support tubes lie when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction. Further, the pair of side tubes lid are covered by left and right side panels 16 disposed above each side cover member 14 and extending up to a rear end portion of said vehicle.
[45] FIG.3. illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of said floorboard panel 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As per the present embodiment, said floorboard panel 12 is mounted to a side portion of said pair of floorboard support tubes lie. Particularly, each floorboard support tube of said pair of floorboard support tubes lie is provided with a pair of mounting brackets 11m for receiving said floorboard panel 12. Each mounting bracket of said pair of mounting brackets 11m is permanently attached to a side portion of each of said pair of floorboard support tubes llc.Further, each mounting bracket of said pair of mounting brackets 11m is provided with a mounting lug 111 for receiving mounting portions of said floorboard panel 12 and that of a bottom floor

• panel 17. Thus, the pair of floorboard support tubes lie serves to receive both the floorboard panel 12 and said bottom floor panel 17.
[46] Said floorboard panel 12 thus secured to the pair of floorboard support tubes lie is adapted to support a side trim assembly 15. For example, as may be seen in FIG.4, said side trim assembly 15 including a first side trim member 15a
■ is snap fitted to snap fit slots 12s provided along an inner peripheral portion on either sides of said floorboard panel 12. Further, a front portion of said first side trim member 15a is fastened to a lower portion of each bottom panel of said pair of bottom panels 13. Further, a second side trim member 15b which is detachably attached to said first side trim member 15a is secured to a rear end portion 12r on either sides of said floorboard panel 12. Particularly, said second side trim member 15b is fastened to a mounting boss 12m provided at said rear end portion 12r of said floorboard.panel.l2..Thus, the side trim assembly 15 is. secured to said . floorboard panel 12 and extends from behind each bottom panel of said pair of bottom panels 13, along a side portion of said floorboard panel 12. As per an aspect of the present invention, said second side trim member 15b extends upwards beyond said rear end portion 12r of the floorboard panel 12, on either sides of said floorboard panel 12 towards a side tube each of said pair of side tubes lid.
[47] As per an embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIG.2, each side tube of said pair of side tubes lid is at least partially covered by said side cover member 14 disposed on either sides of said floorboard panel 12. Further, as may be seen in FIG.Sa, said side cover member 14 is disposed above said second side trim member 15b overlapping at least a portion of said second side trim member 15b when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction. Particularly, as may be seen in FIG.5b the side cover member 14 is detachably attached to a portion of said second side trim member 15b. The side cover member 14 thus disposed on either sides of said pair of side tubes lid adjoins said second side trim member 15b, the second side trim member 15b extending up to an upper periphery of said side cover member 14.

[48] FIG.6a illustrates a side perspective view of said side trim assembly 15 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The side trim assembly 15 comprising said first side trim member 15a and said second side trim member 15b is sub assembled at a sub assembly station before being assembled to said floorboard panel 12. Particularly, said first side trim member 15a and said second side trim member 15b are detachably attached to each other at said sub assembly station before being assembled to said floorboard panel 12. For example, as may be seen two fasteners 18 are used to secure said second side trim member 15b to said first side trim member 15a. Further, while attaching said second side trim member 15b to said first side trim member 15a, it is ensured that a slight gap is maintained between the two, thereby ensuring that any variations in the position of the pillion footrest member 21 is accommodated therewithin. Particularly, as .may. be seen in.EIG.6b said second side trim member. 15b which is located.over. -said first side trim member 15a by overlapping said second side trim member 15b on a top portion of said first side trim member 15a, is secured to said first side trim member 15a using at least one fastener 18. Thus, since the side trim assembly 15 is sub assembled at a sub assembly station, followed by direct attachment to said floorboard panel 12, it is ensured that assembly time is less. Moreover, since only two fasteners are used for securing said side trim assembly to said bottom panel 13 and to said rear portion of said floorboard panel 12, it is aiso ensured that the number of parts used for securing said side trim assembly 15 is also reduced. A two piece side trim assembly as per an aspect of the present invention also enhances design degree of freedom of the side trim assembly 15. For example, different colours may be used for painting said first side trim member 15a and said second side trim member 15b for enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of said vehicle. In another embodiment, said first side trim member 15a may be painted and said second side trim member 15b may be textured. The construction of the side trim assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention aids in improving overall aesthetic appeal of said vehicle.
[49] FIG.7 illustrates a front perspective view of said second side trim member 15b in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen,

said second side trim member 15b is an elongated member having a stepped surface 15bs formed along an outer periphery thereof. Further, said second side trim member 15b includes a substantially circular cut-out 15bc for allowing passage of the pillion footrest member 21secured to each side tube of said pair of side tubes lid. Presence of the stepped surface 15bs allows the pillion footrest member 21 mounted to a portion of said body frame and passing through said cut-out 15bc to rest against a portion of said stepped surface 15bs. Thus, the pillion footrest member 21 is allowed to rest substantially inclinedly against an upper portion of said stepped surface 15bs, pointing towards a side panel 16 of said vehicle. Particularly, provision of the stepped surface 15bs allows a pillion rider to easily access said pillion footrest member 21 with his foot while he/she is seated on a pillion seat. Further, an upper portion of said stepped surface 15bs ex ten ding-to wards a rear of said .vehicle-is tapered at its end. Tapering .an. end. 15be of said stepped surface 15bs ensures that the same does not injure a foot of the pillion rider while he/she tries to push the pillion footrest member 21 resting against said stepped surface 15bs. As per an aspect of the invention, said second side trim member 15b preferably has a profile complimentary to that of a profile of a human leg. especially along an upper portion thereof to ensure that it effectively accommodates the pillion footrest member 21 without leading to increased width of said vehicle while allowing easy access for said pillion footrest member from the pillion seat.
[50] As is apparent from the above teaching, the construction of the side trim assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention aids in ensuring that access to the pillion footrest member is easily facilitated without leading to an increased width of the floorboard panel while also ensuring that variations in the side trim assembly due to variations in the location of the pillion footrest member are avoided. Further, design degrees of freedom associated with the side trim assembly is also significantly improved.
[51] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without

departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We Claim:
1. A saddle-type vehicle (10). said saddle-type vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) comprising a main tube (lib), a pair of floorboard
support tubes (lie) connected to said main tube (lib), and a pair of side
tubes (1 Id) extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwardly from the pair of
floorboard support tubes (lie);
a floorboard panel (12) mounted to said pair of floorboard support tubes
(lie); .
a pair of bottom panels (13) supported on either sides of a front portion of
said floorboard.panel (12); . . . . .
a side cover member (14) mounted to each side tube of said pair of side tubes (lid) and disposed above a rear end (1 lr) portion of said floorboard panel (12); and
a side trim assembly (15). said side trim assembly (15) disposed on either sides of said floorboard panel (12) and extending throughout a length of said floorboard panel (12) and further extending upwards towards said side cover member (14);
characterized in that, said side trim assembly (15) comprises at least two side trim members including a first side trim member (15a) and a second side trim member (15b), said first side trim member (15a) being detachably attached to said second side trim member (15b).
2. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second
side trim member (15b) disposed rearwardly of said first side trim member

(15a) is adapted to accommodate a pillion footrest member (21) mounted to at least a portion of said body frame (11).
3. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second
side trim member (15b) is disposed substantially parallely to said pillion
footrest member (21) mounted to at least a portion of said body frame
(11).
4. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second
side trim member (15b) includes a circular cut-out (15bc) for allowing
passage of said footrest member (21) from a rear side of said second side
. .trim,member (15b). . ... ..
5. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said second side trim member (15b) integrally includes a stepped surface (15bs) formed above said cut-out (15bc) and along an outer periphery thereof for accommodating said pillion footrest member (21) resting substantially upwardly and inclinedly with respect to said floorboard panel (12).
6. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first side trim member (15a) is detachably attached to at least a portion of said floorboard panel (12) and each bottom panel of said pair of bottom panels (13).
7. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second side trim member (15b) is detachably attached to a portion of said floorboard panel (12).

8. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second side trim member (15b) has a profile complimentary to that of a profile of a human leg.
9. A side trim assembly (15) for the saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1-8.