in discussion Characters and Cast / Characters » Sylar's Real Power
sylar's original power is "Intuitive aptitude" this allows him to understand and analyze complex situations/problems/objects with no special training. he gets steals other powers because he "understands" how to absorb people's powers through their brain. this is why when he gets a new power he can straight away know how to use it, compared to Peter who can't (like Ted's radiation power). the downside is that when you have the power you have a thirst to understand everything - in sylars case he has a thirst to have all powers
that is why when peter goes to the future and asks sylar to teach him how to use his power he can fix the watch then skillfully use telekinesis to cut open Nathan's head :S
sylar could (for example) jump into a helicopter or a plane and "understand" how to fly it
