Personally...
I dont consider them anything near a "sport" bike.
I dont care too much for v-twins...Im not too fond of a motor that runs at a hotter temp than most inlines, produces less power than most inlines, and is generally heavier than most inlines.

I road a friend's SV1000....to me it road like a dog.
Slow as shit compaired to my inline, and I didnt really feel much of the "torque" that's supposed to be there.

I agree...it is in a different class, a slower one.

If you want a "fun", or easy to ride bike for communting and what not, the SV's are a great bike. But for the true sportbike experience, I wouldnt get an SV.