Suzuki’s GSR750 and GSX-R600 scooped two of the most coveted awards in motorcycling last night, as the GSR750 won the 2011 Motorcycle News Best all-rounder of the year (under 750cc) award and the GSX-R600 clinched Best sports bike of the year (under 600cc).

Launched in February this year, the GSR750, utilising a reworked version of the legendary GSX-R750 engine, impressed testers early-on in isolation on its launch, but it wasn’t until it was pitched against its rivals that the new naked middleweight really shone.

MCN editor, Marc Potter, announced the awards, commenting, "From the moment we tested the new GSR750 we realised that this was a serious contender, but it was when we got to ride it back in the UK against its rivals that we realised that this was more than just another naked middleweight. Its chassis, engine and general togetherness really is impressive and it certainly took the class to a new level, winning our group test and dethroning the established incumbent. A worthy winner of the all-rounder of the year award".

Winning the hotly contested Best sports bike under 600cc class, Suzuki’s GSX-R600 was launched to critical acclaim last December going on to win MCN’s group test by a country-mile and impressing so much that the best selling motorcycling title pitched it against much larger capacity rivals too, emerging triumphant again.

Potter added, "The GSX-R600 impressed instantly. With a huge weight saving and impressive performance developments it moved the 600cc game on by a big margin, delivering performance that we’d seen in 1000cc bikes only a few years earlier. The GSX-R600 was the obvious choice for this year’s Best sports bike under 600cc award.

Suzuki GB general manager, Paul de Lusignan, was sadly unable to collect the award in person, but speaking from Japan commented, "Naturally we are absolutely delighted to hear that MCN has voted both the GSR750 and GSX-R600 as their Machine of the Year winners. The GSR has proven popular in the UK and the world-over since its introduction, winning group tests and sales in the showrooms, whereas the GSX-R600, with its completely revised engine and chassis took the Supersport class by storm right from launch. On top of these great accolades, both models are available on our current 0% APR finance, one pound deposit and pound off per CC promotion at present too, so there’s never been a better time to buy an award winning Suzuki."

The GSR750 and GSX-R600 are available at any authorised Suzuki dealer. For more information please visit www.suzuki-gb.co.uk.