That’s what your waiting for someone to say, isn’t it…I think most of the comments have been that the GS500 is the better bike to learn skills on, but if you feel comfortable with your skill level to try the SV…it’s not like you are totally green to riding a bike…I don’t think anyone would hold it against you, just hope that you are careful, and smooth with your controls…not just throttle either, the brakes are alot stronger on street bikes than you will be expecting. Be sure to take the BRC and listen to them when they are telling you about being smooth with all inputs, they really stress being smooth…
If you are serious about the CBR, I don’t think anyone will tell you it’s a great “learning” bike…but good luck and be careful.
Saftey first…get the gear!