Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

nick your bro's and see for yourself ;)

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

The guy I bought my thou off in Teeside was in his twenties and had moved onto it after owning a scooter. He had no trouble with it and was upset to see it go. The thou is very managable.

Hope this helps.
Alan

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

Hi

I passed my test in March. Had a few months practice on a chinese 125 prior to that. Apart from that no bike experience. Been driving ages though (31yo). Think i might be the person plowsie was on about cause i went straight out after test and got a '03 sv1000 fully faired.

I'd had a go on a 650 and while initially thought "wow so much faster than the er5 i've been learning on" after 10 mins i was a bit bored lol.

As for the size of the thou, not a problem. I don't find it that scary. It's like someone else said, as long as your sensible with ya right hand then theres no reason you should have any problems with the extra power. As for weight i don't find it heavy to hold or manouver. I'd say go for it. You only get as much power as you want. I've gone into corners like a right plank sometimes and i've found it totally forgiving.

Love it :-D

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

tbh mate its a learning curve. your not in a promotion battle, look at it this way learning to run before you walk for some its ok with no problems others will pick themselves up off the tarmac and think maybe i was trying to hard to fast
if it were me i'd find a cheap 650 run it see how it feels if your happy enough resell it and get the thou max loss around 100 quid within 6 months

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

The trick with the sv1000 is it's only like 120bhp, whereas many other litre sportsbikes have half as much power again - so it's fast but without being terrifying.

I think the only real thing you might struggle with is the gearing of the thou. It's geared for around 160 indicated, so if you look at the other end of the spectrum, low speed riding is a constant dance between 1st & 2nd in town, and then 2nd & 3rd in 30mph zones. For someone who's still getting used to riding, this could be a bit of a hinderance maybe?

But, like everyone has said, the bike only goes as fast as you make it - I wondered whether I was ready for a thou after 2 years with the 650.. 6 weeks in, I have found the transition a breeze. Oh apart from the tankslapper at 80mph in the wet, that was a bit lairy :)

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

i think i must be one of those faint hearted people i keep reading about on ebay...

mine regularly scares the tits off me. but thats what happens when you ride it in the upper reaches of the rev range!

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

Only 120bhp? Well, that's ok then. ;)

If you are jumping on a bike with 100bhp+, then imo it would be better if you had some riding experience.

Otherwise you will very easily get yourself into trouble in speed (easy to do over 100mph, without realizing and loose your license)/corners (too quickly, heavier bike to throw around, not knowing where slow down, apex, where to get on the power, etc)/braking (Better brakes for you to lock the front with).

Dan

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

i'd say the power delivery of the SVthou is quite tame. But then I'm not a beginner. The OP's mate has test ridden several big bikes safely, so i'd imagine he'd be fine on it.

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

I re-read my post and realised how crackers I must sound lol.. I meant "only 120bhp in comparison to other 1000's which make about 140bhp on average in the all-rounders, or 180bhp in the supersports"...

Riding experience would be better, but if he's already test ridden one, it could be too late. I made my mind up within about an hour lol

Re: SV1000 for first big bike?
 

SV1000 is a tame bike, if he is happy then I see no problem.

A friend bought herself an R1 as her first bike. Despite everyone saying it was a no no. Three years later she traded it in for a ZX6R, unmarked and no prophecies having come to fruition. Then amazed as to how light and flickable the little kwak was after her R1.

I would not go for a sv if I wanted a litre twin, my eyes would glaze over at some Italian work of art.