Looking for a first bike, Suzuki SV650S vs Yamaha R1 1000

Sorry to hear about your friend, Hunt. We hear these stories WAY to often

 

Thanks...Aj2488

 

The Suzuki SV650, SV650S, and V Strom 650 are great and reliable bikes, the problem is once that 90 degree engine breaks in its sounds terrible, sounds like a bunch of loose nuts and bolts are rattling around inside.
The Suzuki Burgman 650 is more pracitable, its just as fast, can be used as a cross country touring bike, can haul a passenger, excellent wind and rain protection and it has enough of under the seat storage space to handle 4 giant bags of dog food.
plus its automatic if you don't know how to use a clutch.

No, I don't own a Burgman, I own a Yamaha Tmax

 

SV650 - It's a V-twin (I believe) and torquey (buddy had a SV1000). And because it's a newer model with newer technology... I'd go with that.
Bike tech advances every year.

The 1000RR is fast on the high end - being an in-line 4. At the same time, I am a Honda fan.

 

I have a SV650 and it is one of the most fun street bikes I have ever ridden. I have ridden it at Road Atlanta as well as on 800mile days. It will do whatever you want it to, with the possible exception of posing.
The SVRider forums will give you as many modification recommendations as you want to turn it into what you want.

I have been riding 20+ years and when you ride a liter bike through turns at a "spirited" pace you end up having to focus a lot on your back tire stepping out as you accellerate out of turns. Beginners I have seen in the mountains here wind up being a lot slower because they default to a turn and burn style rather than learning to hold corner speed and carve clean lines.

All that being said, it is more fun going fast on a slow bike than slow on a fast bike. I have a ton of fun fooling around on my TW200.