This paper is the first of 2 companion papers which investigate in-cylinder swirl generation characteristics according to inlet valve angle. Two DOHC 4 valve engines, one has wide intake valve angle and the other has narrow valve angle, were used to compare the characteristics of swirl motion generation in the cylinder. One intake port was deactivated to induce swirl flow. A PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) was applied to measure in-cylinder velocity field according to inlet valve angle during intake stroke. The results show that the stronger swirl motion is observed in wide valve angle engine at the early intake stage; however, the swirl motion is gradually distorted by the intake flow component passing through valve area near the cylinder wall as the stroke proceeds. The tumble motion also does so in wide angle. On the contrary, the swirl and tumble motions, which are not clear at the initial stage, become better and better arranged as the piston goes down and up again after bottom dead center.