High performance motorcycle

A motorcycle rear suspension comprising:

• an elongate rotatable cross member having a front side and a rear side, said rotatable cross-member having connection points for pivotal connection to a rear portion of a motorcycle frame;
• right and left suspension struts each having a lower end connected to respective right and left rear axle fittings adapted for coaxial placement on a rear wheel axle, and an upper portion having connection points for pivotal connection to said rear side of said rotatable cross member;
• and
• right and left length-adjustable links having connection means for pivotal connection to said right and left rear axle fittings, respectively, and to the motorcycle frame.

A rear wheel drive system for a motorcycle having a frame, front suspension, front wheel, and steering assembly connected to a front portion of said frame, an engine disposed in the front portion of said frame, and a rear suspension including a fork pivotally attached to a rear portion of said frame, a rear wheel having a rear wheel axle pivotally connected to a rear portion of said fork, said rear wheel axle having an axis of rotation and said rear suspension having a range of travel, said rear wheel drive system comprising:

• a driven pulley axially disposed on said rear wheel axle;
• a drive pulley attached to said frame and configured to receive motive output from the engine, said drive pulley having an axis of rotation;
• an idler pulley attached to said frame and disposed above a line between said axis of rotation of said drive pulley and said axis of rotation of said rear wheel axle;
• and
• a belt or chain disposed around and operatively connecting said drive pulley, said driven pulley, and said idler pulley;
• wherein said idler pulley and said drive pulley are configured so as to provide substantially constant tension to said belt or chain over said range of travel of said rear suspension.