i agree about the holding off on the fairings...

IMO it sounds like you just want the bike because "it looks cool" yeah yeah, thats why i started as well - that and because i wanted something super fast and cheap (relitivly speaking). i learned to ride on a 98 GSXR-600... a few scares, but hey i'm still alive and i didn't drop it. looking back on it i do NOT regreat learning on the 600. you just have to understand right off that the bike owns you so to speak.

 

i'm 5'2, 115lb and started with a 600, after 2 drops, I did just fine. I say get what you like

 

the fact that you're still alive doesn't make a good idea, especially for a kid that's 18.

I'm sure he'll like the SV - they're nice looking bikes and nowhere near as twitchy as super sports. One of my friends has a 2004 and she loves it. Not to mention that the LED tails on those look hawt