Properly set up CVT is an excellent transmission system to use. I worked on one of these before Chrismas, Aprilia Mana 750. It has a CVT but the Variator ramp is controlled by a stepper motor and transmission ECU. It has full auto mode and also "manual" mode with destinct selectable gears (ecu basically steps the variator). I've done a fair few years of tuning CVT on scooters and it's the best of all worlds when set up correctly, as you say you're always in the meat of the powerband.
MotoCsysz in Oregon have built a three-overhead camshaft m'cycle engine. They have also made a 4-cylinder engine in which the two halves of the crankshaft COUNTER-rotate, to negate all longitudinal torque reaction. The guy was very brainy. Good obituary article here: https://www.cyclenews.com/2016/05/article/michael-czysz-a-tribute/
