Suzuki's GSX-R600 has managed to retain the coveted Motorcycle News (MCN) Machine of the Year Award.

Announced this week at an event hosted by MCN, Suzuki's GSX-R600 was deemed to still be the leader of the middleweight sports bike class and 'still the benchmark 600' according to the world's best selling weekly motorcycle newspaper.

Named 2011 MCN Machine of the Year last September, following its introduction earlier in the year, MCN said: 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.

Upon receiving the title for the second year running, Suzuki GB general manager, Paul de Lusignan commented,"Naturally we're absolutely delighted to win this title for a second consecutive year. After we gratefully received this award last year, Alastair Seeley then took his GSX-R600 to the 2011 British Supersport title too, proving yet again the GSX-R600's all round pedigree. To win this award again is very encouraging indeed and hopefully gives customers and owners further reassurance that they are riding the best middleweight sports bike on the market."