The World of Motorcycling- News detail

FIM and Hexagon, the global leader in measurement technologies have kicked off a partnership to modernise how it validates and verifies racing motorcycle designs. The multi-year agreement is helping FIM improve and standardise technical homologation and compliance processes using measurement equipment from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Business Area for the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

• FIM and Hexagon have successfully modernised WorldSBK championship measurement and compliance processes with portable laser scanning and probing

• FIM technical assessors now rely on Hexagon’s Absolute Arm 7-Axis portable measuring arm and Absolute Scanner AS1 laser scanner for motorcycle homologation from manufacturer to the track

For the 2026 race season, FIM is using Hexagon’s portable measuring armsfor its measurement and homologation work on road-legal production motorcycles competing in the FIM Superbike World Championship. All WorldSBK motorcycles need to follow strict rules that ensure these bikes are built to design guidelines and fine tolerances in conformity with FIM’s technical regulations, which stipulate tight limits on adaptation from the production bikes on which the race bikes are based. To simplify and professionalise its measurement and homologation processes, the FIM sought faster, more precise evaluation of motorcycle designs using the latest portable inspection and digitalisation technologies. FIM technical assessors now rely on Hexagon’s Absolute Arm 7-Axis portable measuring arm and Absolute Scanner AS1 laser scanner to measure various motorcycle dimensions and individual parts that are tightly controlled and determine compliance with FIM regulations in force. The homologation work of FIM guarantees a level playing field for competitors in WorldSBK and other international motorcycle championships under the FIM’s authority where the same approach is being considered.

“We have an urgent and growing need to use the best measurement technology to improve how we test and control bikes. Deciding on conformity or non-conformity using traditional methods was extremely time-consuming, and for some parts – especially aerodynamic surfaces with complex geometries – it was simply impossible,” says Dominique Hebrard, FIM CTI Technical Director. “This partnership takes us to the next level. Using the Hexagon measurement arm with its AS1 laser scanner delivers the accuracy, speed, ease of use, and portability we need to check all dimensions, including the conformity of a motorcycle’s complete aerodynamic package, and individual parts, to very specific tolerances – whether we’re at our technical HQ, visiting a manufacturer, or trackside during an FIM event. They really have improved our life by making our scrutineering processes simpler, faster and easier. Using the same equipment everywhere brings consistent, reliable results and helps build the trust that the manufacturers place in our processes. We’re very much looking forward to working with Hexagon as we continue to roll out and further expand the use of this technology.”The Absolute Arm with AS1 scanner enables the quick creation of detailed point cloud models of complete motorcycles and individual parts. FIM inspectors can now easily scan and compare the real-world measurement data against each manufacturer's homologated CAD and tolerances, using Hexagon’s Inspire metrology software, ensuring repeatable measurements and digital traceability from every check.“We’re excited to work with FIM in bringing our advanced portable measurement technology to the competitive, high-precision world of motorcycle circuit racing. This partnership builds on Hexagon’s extensive metrology experience in high-performance motorsport, supporting race teams and technical regulators around the world to digitalise their vehicle development and testing processes,” said Stephan Amann, Business Enablement Director at Hexagon’s Portable Metrology Division. “It’s exciting to see that digitalisation is not just helping FIM in its work – the proliferation of accurate 3D models is also helping the motorcycle manufacturers to quickly build more competitive bikes without falling foul of the FIM’s technical regulations. It’s helping professionalise the whole digital engineering process from design to manufacturing, testing, and homologation, whilst ensuring a fair competition on FIM events. And for Hexagon, working closely with FIM and motorcycle manufacturers will help us improve our products to meet the exacting requirements of this fast-paced, precision sport.”

FIM began rolling out the new homologation process at their FIM Technical Laboratory in FIM HQ, in Mies, Switzerland, and from factory to factory during their rigorous WorldSBK pre-season testing. As the 2026 season gathers momentum, FIM assessors will take the Hexagon portable measurement solution to make spot checks throughout the remaining four rounds. On-site assessors can quickly deploy the portable measurement arm in any pit to accurately measure a variety of components, from small high-precision engine parts to full frames and chassis, and the complete aerodynamic package.In the coming months, FIM will also use the arm and scanner to homologate several upgraded 2026race bikes and begin FIM homologation of motorcycles for the 2027 season.While WorldSBK is the most visible example of motorcycle homologation, the principle is used by FIM in other circuit racing championships: eligible bikes must be homologated series-production models to ensure a common technical foundation across multiple championships. Homologation ensures that the racing machines are based on genuine production, road‑legal models, not one‑off works bikes.After fully rolling out their new WorldSBK homologation process together with the manufacturers, the FIM will look to expand the use of the Hexagon portable measurement solution to other circuit racing championships under its jurisdiction, such as the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) and FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP), which also require full FIM homologation of the base motorcycle.The eighth race of the 2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship took place in the Donington Park Circuit on July 10 – 12. The series continues with four other rounds in Europe, concluding in October with the final race weekend at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto in Spain.The FIM is the global governing body of motorcycle sport. It defines the technical and sporting regulations for racing championships, homologates eligible motorcycles, oversees rider safety and sporting integrity.