Sports bike over 601cc

Shortlist: Ducati 999R. Aprilia RSV1000 Factory. Suzuki GSX-R1000. Yamaha YZF-R1. Honda FireBlade

Winner: Suzuki GSX-R1000

THIS vital category was a bare-knuckle fight between the very best from Italy and Japan.

From Italy two V-twins: Ducati’s 999R and Aprilia’s RSV Factory. From Japan, the power-packed, four-cylinder Yamaha R1, Honda FireBlade and Suzuki GSX-R.

But one stands out – the GSX-R1000. It won in 2001 and it has won again in 2003. MCN Editor Marc Potter said: ” Just as we thought big-bore sports bikes had hit the limit the GSX-R has moved the game on again. Nothing quite combines its sheer power and handling with a real world price tag. ”

New rivals for 2004 from Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha will have to be stunningly good to knock the big GSX-R off top spot.

Suzuki’s Nick Barnes said: ” We already knew it was good. Our performance in British Superbikes has really helped and the TT win proved its performance on the road. This is great for Suzuki. ”