Belt drive

The term belt drive refers to the final drive between the engine and the rear wheel of a motorcycle.

A belt drive system is generally less noisy than a chain driven system, they run smoother over the drive shaft and can cushion the motor and bearings better than a traditional chain drive, albeit with sometimes less strength.

Belt drive, moreover, is simple, inexpensive, and does not require axially aligned shafts. It helps protect the machinery from overload and jam, and damps and isolates noise and vibration. Load fluctuations are shock-absorbed (cushioned). They need no lubrication and minimal maintenance. They have high efficiency (90-98%, usually 95%), high tolerance for misalignment, and are inexpensive if the shafts are far apart.