- Around 1,000 cc, liquid cooling, shaft drive and an announced automated manual transmission (AMT)
- Real prototype shown at the CIMA show in Chongqing in September 2026
- Market launch planned for 2027, including Europe
Until now, the ZXMoto boxer was little more than a footnote. At EICMA 2025 in Milan, company founder Zhang Xue showed the twin only very briefly, squeezed in between the new models for 2026. Many visitors probably missed it amid the flood of new launches. Now the engine exists as a real component, and a look at the details shows that the Chinese flat twin follows its Bavarian role model right down to many small details.
What did ZXMoto show at CIMA 2026?
In September 2026, ZXMoto exhibited a real prototype of its boxer engine at the CIMA show in Chongqing, China. At EICMA, by contrast, the engine had only been shown virtually.
Judging by the first photos, the prototype appears to be functional. This puts the project a significant step further than it was almost a year ago. ZXMoto explicitly does not present the boxer as a design study or publicity stunt, but as a firm part of its own future. The engine is said to have been developed entirely in-house. According to the manufacturer, it will not be an entry-level engine but a premium product. A project like this requires a lot of money for development and extensive durability testing.
Boxer from China: ZXMoto is not the first manufacturer
With its boxer, ZXMoto is already the third Chinese manufacturer after Crystalburn/CBNMotor and Benda to present a two-cylinder boxer modelled on BMW. Benda is working on a small boxer with low displacement. The layout is not entirely new in China anyway. For many years, sidecar outfits with boxer engines were common there. The Chang Jiang 750 was a copy of the Ural, which in turn goes back to a BMW motorcycle from the Second World War.
When it comes to large boxer engines, BMW has so far been practically alone, apart from Ural. This is exactly the field ZXMoto is now pushing into. The new engine is not a revival of the older BMW generations known in the scene as Airhead and Oilhead. Technically, it resembles the modern boxers.
What are the technical specifications of the ZXMoto boxer?
So far, only the displacement of around 1,000 cubic centimetres is officially known. With this displacement, more than 100 hp (around 74 kW) can be expected.
For comparison: BMW’s current 1,300 cc boxer produces 145 hp (107 kW). The ZXMoto engine would therefore be one size smaller. There are no details yet on torque, weight or engine speeds.
How similar is the ZXMoto boxer to the BMW engine?
The similarity is considerable and extends to many details. Installation position, cooling, drive and the arrangement of the ancillary components largely correspond to the layout of the BMW boxer.
Liquid cooling, longitudinal crankshaft and shaft drive
The ZXMoto boxer is fully liquid-cooled. It has no cooling fins that would additionally air-cool the two cylinders sitting in the airflow. The crankshaft runs longitudinally to the direction of travel. BMW has been building its boxers this way since 1923. ZXMoto has also adopted shaft drive to the rear wheel.
Intakes at the top, exhausts at the bottom
On the new engine, the intake ports sit at the top and the exhaust ports at the bottom. BMW has used this arrangement since 2013. The advantage: the engine and motorcycle can be built more compactly. The shape of the engine casing also reveals two overhead camshafts per cylinder head, DOHC for short. They are apparently driven by timing chains that sit offset opposite each other and run in their own shafts. This is also familiar from the 1300 boxer from Munich.
Starter at the front, gearbox at the bottom
The engine carries the small starter motor at the front on top of the casing, just like its Bavarian role model. The water pump and clutch hydraulics, on the other hand, are located at the rear. The multi-plate oil-bath clutch is probably at the front, the gearbox below the engine. This fits with the clearly visible oil sump. The engine therefore uses wet-sump lubrication, in which the engine oil is collected in a pan beneath the engine.
Will the ZXMoto boxer get an automated transmission?
Yes, Zhang Xue himself has announced an automated transmission for the boxer, a so-called AMT. With an AMT, the electronics take over the clutch and gear changes, so the rider no longer has to shift manually.
In principle, the system corresponds to BMW’s ASA. Nevertheless, a shift shaft for a foot-operated gear lever can still be seen in the first pictures. This also fits with BMW, as the ASA models still have a foot gear lever as well.
When will the ZXMoto boxer go on sale?
ZXMoto plans to launch the boxer in 2027, including in Europe. At EICMA 2025, Zhang Xue said the engine should hit the road “il prima possibile” (as soon as possible).
ZXMoto has created the framework for such plans in a short time. The brand has already launched the 820 cc inline triple with 115 to 150 hp (around 85 to 110 kW). In addition, a 1000 cc V5 with more than 250 hp (around 184 kW) has been announced. With the planned launch in 2027, the boxer would fall into the 2027 model year, which is bringing numerous new models from China anyway.
Which motorcycle will get the new boxer?
There is no official model yet. The most obvious choice is an adventure tourer modelled on the BMW GS.
It could appear as a new model for 2027 as early as the next EICMA in November 2026. “ZXMoto 1000X ADV” would fit into the existing model range as a name, since the ZXMoto 820X ADV with an inline triple has already been confirmed for 2027. Beyond that, various other models are conceivable with the boxer, similar to BMW.
Who is behind ZXMoto?
ZXMoto is run by Zhang Xue, who previously founded the Kove brand and led it as CEO. After disagreements among the shareholders, he had to step down from the top job there.
At first he stayed on at Kove as head of development, but then left the company because he was no longer allowed to decide on the products. In 2024 he founded ZXMoto, which has at times also appeared under the names ZXJC and Zhang Xue Moto. The brand made its European debut at EICMA 2025. The abbreviation ZX stands for his initials. Zhang Xue says: “I use my initials in the company logo… that means that our brand and my life are bundled together.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much horsepower does the ZXMoto boxer have?
There is no official power figure yet. With around 1,000 cc, more than 100 hp (around 74 kW) can be expected. For comparison, BMW’s 1,300 cc boxer produces 145 hp (107 kW).
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When will the ZXMoto boxer come to Europe?
ZXMoto plans to launch it in 2027, including in Europe. A first motorcycle with the engine could be shown as early as EICMA in November 2026.
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Does the ZXMoto boxer have shaft drive?
Yes, like BMW, the rear wheel is driven via a shaft. The longitudinal crankshaft and liquid cooling without cooling fins are also already known.
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Is there a ZXMoto boxer with an automatic transmission?
Zhang Xue has announced an automated manual transmission (AMT) for the engine. In principle it corresponds to BMW’s ASA. The first pictures also show a shift shaft for a foot-operated gear lever.
