Suzuki takes out International Bike of The Year again

For the second time in just three years Suzuki's benchmark sportsbike has beaten the best in the world to win the most prestigious award in the global motorcycle market.

Incredibly, it is also the sixth time in the past eight years that Suzuki has won the award.

Voted on by an international panel of judges from leading motorcycle magazines based in 11 countries, the 'International Bike of the Year' award has a multi-faceted criteria that includes recognition of a contender's performance, engineering innovation, quality and affordability.

"Winning this award again is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Suzuki, and obviously an exceptional honour against such fierce competition," Perry Morison, General Manager - Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia, said.

"At Suzuki we are well aware of what a fantastic product the GSX-R1000 is, but to again receive the motorcycle industry's highest accolade in recognition of that is very satisfying indeed."

Possessing more power and lighter weight than the previous model, already a class benchmark, Suzuki's all-new 2003-model GSX-R1000 moved the bar beyond its rival's reach.

Having created the ultimate sportsbike package, the GSX-R1000 impressed the IBOTY judges with its stunning power delivery, responsive chassis and excellent build quality.

"In reclaiming the International Bike of the Year mantle, the 2003 model GSX-R1000 has again set the benchmark for motorcycle excellence; improving on what was already the world's best sportsbike," Morison said.

"This honour really caps off another stellar year for Suzuki, with the GSX-R1000 having dominated on racetracks around the globe."

On the international stage, Suzuki's GSX-R1000 claimed victory in the 2003 European Superstock Championship, as well as sweeping four out of the top five placings in the 2003 World Endurance Series.

Suzuki's GSX-R1000 also swept this year's Australian and American Superbike Championships, taking first and second place in both series.

In fact, since its introduction in 2001 the GSX-R1000 has been undefeated in the Australian Superbike Championship, securing three successive titles.

Also showing its supremacy in the marketplace, the GSX-R1000 has seen Suzuki dominate sportsbikes sales in Australia, out performing all other manufacturers so far this year.

"The GSX-R1000 has been extremely successful for Suzuki; the popularity of this flagship model, and indeed, the entire GSX-R series has made Suzuki number one in sportsbike sales," Morison said.

Suzuki victories in the International Bike of the Year award (1996 - 2003):

1996: Suzuki GSX-R750
1998: Suzuki TL1000S
1999: Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
2000: Suzuki GSX-R750
2001: Suzuki GSX-R1000
2003: Suzuki GSX-R1000