Honda is the UK motorcycle industry's 2000 Manufacturer of the Year. The important award one of six in which Honda was directly involved was announced at the recent Motor Cycle News Awards ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

The Manufacturer of the Year title was awarded to Honda for the continued quality and performance of its motorcycle line-up as well as the outstanding results of the VTR1000 SP-1 in its first year of competition.

In addition to two years warranty and free AA membership, Honda's package includes the award-winning MAC scheme, free membership of the Honda UK Riders Club and the free application of the anti-theft device, Smartwater Instant. Smartwater also collected MCN's Best Product (Accessory) award.

Honda's recently introduced Used Motorcycle Scheme was named as Best Product (Service) at the award ceremony and the firm's refined VFR 800Fi collected the title of Machine of the Year in the Sports Tourer class.

Two Honda riders were also honoured in this year's awards: James Toseland, who contested the 2000 British Superbike Championship on a Honda VTR, was named as the Young Rider of the Year.

The biggest ovation of the evening, however, was reserved for Linda Dunlop who collected the prestigious MCN Man of the Year award on behalf of her late husband, Joey a Honda rider for 20 years and winner of 26 TT races before his tragic death in Estonia in July this year.

At the same award ceremony, a new superbike tyre from Bridgestone/Firestone UK was hailed as tyre product of the year.

The honour came because of a winning combination of performance, safety, grip, predictability, durability and price.