[7][8] The 996 cc (60.8 cu in) displacement 90° V-twin motorcycles were aimed to compete directly with the Honda VTR1000F (also known as the SuperHawk or FireStorm, depending on the market), which was released prior to the Suzuki, and the low end Ducati one-litre V-twin engined sport bikes.

The SV1000 shares many common parts with the SV650, including all bodywork (front fairing, fuel tank and rear plastics/subframe), but the main frame, handlebars, swingarm and forks are different.

The SV1000's engine is sourced from the TL1000S which, inside were over 300 changes to improve low-end and midrange performance.

[6] Unlike the Firestorm/SuperHawk, which had large 48 mm carburettors, the 2003 and later SV1000 was fuel injected and had Suzuki's 'Dual-Throttle Valve' technology.

In some markets, Suzuki carries the SZ version with full fairing and GSX-R colour scheme.