The boxer layout, with the crankshaft longitudinal and opposed cylinders, was developed by BMW Engineer Max Friz, and resulted in the 1923 BMW R32 — the first BMW motorcycle (yes, Virginia, BMW made motorcycles five years before it produced cars). This engine layout always struck me as being utterly logical. The cylinders project sideways into the wind and have good primary balance, and transmission to a shaft final drive is relatively straight forward (or backward), eliminating any need for a bothersome chain or belt. Other manufacturers, most notably Honda, recognized the singular virtues of the boxer/shaft layout and produced motorcycles so equipped. An example of a Russian boxer-engined motorcycle is shown below.

---

Russia's Ural

  

Interested in Russian motorcycles? Here's a link to the North American Russian Motorcycle Association

The photos below were taken at Arizona Bike Week, Scottsdale, Arizona.

The top view, right, shows a marked resemblance to early BMW opposed twins, with cylinders projecting sideways—like fat, stubby wings—into the air stream, The photo below shows Ural's open drive shaft and rear-drive unit—with a black rubber cap that allows a rider to check the thickness of his brake lining without removing the wheel. The rear drive's oil level is checked with a dip stick under the oil filler nut.