i agree... but working at a dealership you give up on trying to tell people they need to start on a old standard bike or a ninja 250 or gs500, because no one wants to hear it and they'll just go down the street to whoever will sell them a hayabusa to learn on... so i think the SV is the best realistic compromise, if your mature and have a good solid head on your shoulders then theres no reason you can't start on a SV, but i'd buy used because no matter how much you don't go out and do stupid shit, your almost guarenteed to drop it trying to back up or something, and it should be a crime to do that on a brand spanking new bike

even a 500 can still get you in trouble, ask TheHubSS