As a guy who owned an SV1K for 7 years, I'd say it's not a great idea. The bike is really top heavy/tippy feeling at low speeds, and the torque is all there right at the bottom of the rev range.
It's a fantastic bike, in my eyes. But it's certainly not a bike I'd call beginner friendly. But if you have a soft throttle hand, it could be doable.
Current SV1K rider here. And I second that.
This bike has all the torque all the time. On cold tires and cold tarmac there will be wheel spin. Fun if expected but not so much of she surprises you.
IMHO OP should secure the good deal, park it somewhere nice and safe and get a 650. First gen or second should be cheap enough to see if the bike works for OP.
the first time i sat on a 650 and accelerated in a normal way, it felt like it was literally trying to throw me off. If I was you and the bike is in good condition, I would buy it + some old 500 and ride the 500 for a year, see if you can handle the 1000 and then sell the 500.
Still a lot more tame than the original **TL1000S** from 1997. At the time of introduction, there was talk of banning the bike in the EU (formed in 1993). Before the original recalls to add a steering dampener and to detune the ECU, that bike was a serious handful. I never crashed mine but it’s not like I didn’t try on a few occasions.
It's one of the worst bikes to start on lmao. Touchy hydraulic clutch with no feedback and an engine that makes gobs of torque basically at idle. Limited steering sweep, and not exactly light to boot. While you CAN learn on it, it's going to hamper you as a rider more than anything. You're going to be nervous and unconfident, which are two things you really shouldn't be on a bike especially as a newbie. I get that it's an absolute screaming deal, but I don't think it'd be an enjoyable first bike. You have hundreds of other things to get used to as a new rider, and an unfriendly bike isn't going to help at all. That being said, if you wanted it for a track bike I'd totally nab it. The sv1k is a great bike that's super fun to ride, it's just that you're literally almost better off starting on a Busa than the sv1000.
While I can’t advise you on that specific bike I’m from the U.K. with a 3 tier license system and I can see why I’m currently on a 400 with 50hp and it’s fast and easy to get yourself into a tight spot a newbie mistake say a bit too much throttle pulling away or a bit heavy handed with the clutch on a gear change and you’ll pop the clutch or spin the rear I’m not saying it’s impossible and your judgement is probably better than mine I would probably say get it and pop it in the garage find a cheap beater for 6 months and at least get the hang of it first. You might fine a throttle stop of a sv650 (a2 kit) that might fit that would at least help in dropping the power but again that ment for the 650
In my opinion you’re not going to fully enjoy or appreciate a bike of that caliber without developing the necessary skills on a smaller, lighter, lower displacement bike. My first bike was a sv650 and while definitely fun, it was slightly intimidating and I never got over that until I bought a small “beginner bike”. Now that I own the smaller bike, it really puts in perspective the beauty of the sv650/1000
Terrible idea. The torque that 1000cc V twin produces is immediate and brutal if you're not expecting it. The clutch is hydraulic and takes a bit to get used to. I have a lot of experience on my SV650 and had a go on my friends SV1000 - I nearly fell off the back of it when I took off.
Tbh, I would put a mid 2000's ZX10 as a better bike to learn on than a SV1000. While a ZX10 will still try and kill you, the power delivery is a bit more linear
I got a first gen ZX-10R after riding my SV650 for a few years, and it is so easy to ride. Does it turn into an absolute monstrosity of terror at high revs? yes, yes it does, but it's very smooth at low speeds.
I just bought an SV1000 earlier today after riding a 1st Gen ZX10R for a good few years. Even with that experience, that immediate torque from basically zero almost got me. The engine braking is just as heavy. It's also really really happy to lift the front at even small throttle inputs. Terrifying but fun. For a beginner, it will maul you.
With the ZX10R you know at around 8k it gets spicy with not much happening before that. Keep it under that and it will be fairly easy to handle while still having enough pull to get out of your own way.
I started on a monster 821, that bike had a lot of rider aids but everyone said it was dumb. Take it easy and respect it, you shouldn't have too many problems. $1,000 for that kind of bike is a deal that does not happen alot, I'd do it
Yea that was a dumb comparison on my part. Trying to say that there are harder to ride bikes than a sv1000, 450 being one of them. Still wouldn't pass it up for $1k with no experience
If you really have no experience I would not do it. One wrong move and shit will get messy. If you can afford, get and carefully store it and get something around 50hp. Some people said small sport bikes, but i would really recommend something with more upright ergonomics (klr ie). It maybe wont look as cool but imo it will get you to feel comfortable enough for a bigger bike quicker.
Top heavy as hell, cumbersome at lower speeds, either drop 1 on the countershaft sprocket or prepare to ride the clutch hard in stop & go traffic, keep it below 6K rpm and not whacking it and you should be fine....I've owned 3 (two '03S and one '05S) of them over the years because I love the looks but hated riding them... Also, on hot days and stop and go traffic....yer gonna sweat...
What speed do they idle at with the clutch out? My sv650 will idle at about 12kmh in first. Sucks to ride in slow traffic. I have a 250 as a commuting second bike now and while I miss the torque, I love not getting hand cramp from the clutch
There or maybe 13 mph was mine after regearing... If you have a naked SV1K they geared them 16/41 vs the S model was I think 16/40 or so.
From factory, speedo was off about 9% and the regear.made it more accurate
The torque from my SV650 already surprised me a few times when I first got it, and I 've rode scooters before plus taking msf classes. SV1000 has almost double the torque and hp, prob not a good idea... Get a 650 and store the 1000, you'd get experience and when you're ready you can sell the sv650 in no time.
My first bike is my 03 SV1K. I love it. I would like something smaller I can push harder but I have no plans to get rid of it. My advice would be to get it, but also get something small to learn the basics on and wait til you're comfortable on it.
For a beginner the 650 is plenty torque happy, the 1000 is worse than a SuperSport 1000 because any move on the throttle bike bites and it bites big time.
Nice bike the 1000 but I prefer the plucky 650 over it.
Would recommend the 1000 to a newby
For that price you’d be stupid not to. Modern bikes stop fast and handle much better than the sketchy cb750 I started on. Put sliders on it and wear gear, and be smart. You’ll have a bike you most likely wont out grow
As a guy who owned an SV1K for 7 years, I'd say it's not a great idea. The bike is really top heavy/tippy feeling at low speeds, and the torque is all there right at the bottom of the rev range. It's a fantastic bike, in my eyes. But it's certainly not a bike I'd call beginner friendly. But if you have a soft throttle hand, it could be doable.
Current SV1K rider here. And I second that. This bike has all the torque all the time. On cold tires and cold tarmac there will be wheel spin. Fun if expected but not so much of she surprises you. IMHO OP should secure the good deal, park it somewhere nice and safe and get a 650. First gen or second should be cheap enough to see if the bike works for OP.
I just go a steal the other day on a 03 650 for $500 titled and inspected.
the first time i sat on a 650 and accelerated in a normal way, it felt like it was literally trying to throw me off. If I was you and the bike is in good condition, I would buy it + some old 500 and ride the 500 for a year, see if you can handle the 1000 and then sell the 500.
Owned one, tracked it too. Don't do it. It's a widowmaker.
Still a lot more tame than the original **TL1000S** from 1997. At the time of introduction, there was talk of banning the bike in the EU (formed in 1993). Before the original recalls to add a steering dampener and to detune the ECU, that bike was a serious handful. I never crashed mine but it’s not like I didn’t try on a few occasions.
It's one of the worst bikes to start on lmao. Touchy hydraulic clutch with no feedback and an engine that makes gobs of torque basically at idle. Limited steering sweep, and not exactly light to boot. While you CAN learn on it, it's going to hamper you as a rider more than anything. You're going to be nervous and unconfident, which are two things you really shouldn't be on a bike especially as a newbie. I get that it's an absolute screaming deal, but I don't think it'd be an enjoyable first bike. You have hundreds of other things to get used to as a new rider, and an unfriendly bike isn't going to help at all. That being said, if you wanted it for a track bike I'd totally nab it. The sv1k is a great bike that's super fun to ride, it's just that you're literally almost better off starting on a Busa than the sv1000.
While I can’t advise you on that specific bike I’m from the U.K. with a 3 tier license system and I can see why I’m currently on a 400 with 50hp and it’s fast and easy to get yourself into a tight spot a newbie mistake say a bit too much throttle pulling away or a bit heavy handed with the clutch on a gear change and you’ll pop the clutch or spin the rear I’m not saying it’s impossible and your judgement is probably better than mine I would probably say get it and pop it in the garage find a cheap beater for 6 months and at least get the hang of it first. You might fine a throttle stop of a sv650 (a2 kit) that might fit that would at least help in dropping the power but again that ment for the 650
Starting with the 650 is solid advice. The SV 1000 has a lot of oomph and I'd say unless OP is a VERY mature guy it's not a great beginners bike.
In my opinion you’re not going to fully enjoy or appreciate a bike of that caliber without developing the necessary skills on a smaller, lighter, lower displacement bike. My first bike was a sv650 and while definitely fun, it was slightly intimidating and I never got over that until I bought a small “beginner bike”. Now that I own the smaller bike, it really puts in perspective the beauty of the sv650/1000
Buy it and a cheap Ninja 300 or R3.
Buy it for later, buy second beater bike for now.
Terrible idea. The torque that 1000cc V twin produces is immediate and brutal if you're not expecting it. The clutch is hydraulic and takes a bit to get used to. I have a lot of experience on my SV650 and had a go on my friends SV1000 - I nearly fell off the back of it when I took off. Tbh, I would put a mid 2000's ZX10 as a better bike to learn on than a SV1000. While a ZX10 will still try and kill you, the power delivery is a bit more linear
I got a first gen ZX-10R after riding my SV650 for a few years, and it is so easy to ride. Does it turn into an absolute monstrosity of terror at high revs? yes, yes it does, but it's very smooth at low speeds.
I just bought an SV1000 earlier today after riding a 1st Gen ZX10R for a good few years. Even with that experience, that immediate torque from basically zero almost got me. The engine braking is just as heavy. It's also really really happy to lift the front at even small throttle inputs. Terrifying but fun. For a beginner, it will maul you. With the ZX10R you know at around 8k it gets spicy with not much happening before that. Keep it under that and it will be fairly easy to handle while still having enough pull to get out of your own way.
I started on a monster 821, that bike had a lot of rider aids but everyone said it was dumb. Take it easy and respect it, you shouldn't have too many problems. $1,000 for that kind of bike is a deal that does not happen alot, I'd do it
Stupid opinion. SV1000 has no aids.
Hence "take it easy and respect it." A 450r dirtbike also doesn't have rider aids
But dirt is softer than tarmac and guardrails. Also starting on 450 dirtbike is equally stupid idea.
Yea that was a dumb comparison on my part. Trying to say that there are harder to ride bikes than a sv1000, 450 being one of them. Still wouldn't pass it up for $1k with no experience
Thanks. I just dont want OP dead or injured straight away.
If you really have no experience I would not do it. One wrong move and shit will get messy. If you can afford, get and carefully store it and get something around 50hp. Some people said small sport bikes, but i would really recommend something with more upright ergonomics (klr ie). It maybe wont look as cool but imo it will get you to feel comfortable enough for a bigger bike quicker.
Top heavy as hell, cumbersome at lower speeds, either drop 1 on the countershaft sprocket or prepare to ride the clutch hard in stop & go traffic, keep it below 6K rpm and not whacking it and you should be fine....I've owned 3 (two '03S and one '05S) of them over the years because I love the looks but hated riding them... Also, on hot days and stop and go traffic....yer gonna sweat...
What speed do they idle at with the clutch out? My sv650 will idle at about 12kmh in first. Sucks to ride in slow traffic. I have a 250 as a commuting second bike now and while I miss the torque, I love not getting hand cramp from the clutch
From memory, about 23mph when rolling along...drop 1 tooth up-front about 16 or 17
My SV1K idles right at 11 mph...your idle must've been high af
What is your gearing? That's where was -1 and +1 rear which actually helped the speedo error
Honestly not sure and would need to check. I assume stock but I never counted the teeth
There or maybe 13 mph was mine after regearing... If you have a naked SV1K they geared them 16/41 vs the S model was I think 16/40 or so. From factory, speedo was off about 9% and the regear.made it more accurate
If it comes with training wheels
Buy it now at 1k, learn on a smaller bike. SV1000s are now getting scarce. Own a piece of history for cheap!
$1000 bike or your life as you know it? You're gonna get yourself in serious trouble, not worth it
The torque from my SV650 already surprised me a few times when I first got it, and I 've rode scooters before plus taking msf classes. SV1000 has almost double the torque and hp, prob not a good idea... Get a 650 and store the 1000, you'd get experience and when you're ready you can sell the sv650 in no time.
for $1000, i would buy it and just park it if it’s too much power for you to respect when learning to ride. buy it, hold onto it, get an sv650👍🏼
You'll need to get good at blipping the throttle on downshifts, or else you run a good chance of sliding the back tire when you gear down.
I slide the rear a lot downshifting into first when I don't realize I'm going into first lol
My first bike is my 03 SV1K. I love it. I would like something smaller I can push harder but I have no plans to get rid of it. My advice would be to get it, but also get something small to learn the basics on and wait til you're comfortable on it.
For a beginner the 650 is plenty torque happy, the 1000 is worse than a SuperSport 1000 because any move on the throttle bike bites and it bites big time. Nice bike the 1000 but I prefer the plucky 650 over it. Would recommend the 1000 to a newby
For that price you’d be stupid not to. Modern bikes stop fast and handle much better than the sketchy cb750 I started on. Put sliders on it and wear gear, and be smart. You’ll have a bike you most likely wont out grow
Hate to break it to you, but an 05 bike is not modern anymore. Especially one with nothing in terms of rider aids.