Parking light =(

[simon79]

these things have a steering lock?  didn't know that.  i can't get my key to turn more than half a click backwards. doesn't do anything.  i see where it says lock and park but it won't turn that far back. mine's an 04 if it makes any diff.

Oh yes,these bikes do have steering lock...mine's a '01 and it has...
Seems to be a dumb question, but...have you read the instruction manual(if you have it)?
from the Off position:
1)turn handlebars all to the left,
2)push the key,
3)at the same time turn the key left to the LOCK position;you might need to tilt the handlebars a little left/right, in order to let the locking pin engage.
4)from the LOCK position, you can turn the key one more click left into P, thus activating the front and tail position light.

[97dime]

don't have an owners manual. didn't come with the bike.  good to know that they have a steering lock though.  makes it much tougher to steal.

[simon79]

don't have an owners manual. didn't come with the bike.  good to know that they have a steering lock though.  makes it much tougher to steal.

Hm,my personal suggestion,get a user manual,it contains a lot of useful info on basic maintenance,service intervals and so on
As for the steering lock...I don't think it makes the GS (or any bike) that "much tougher to steal"...Even a passing-by thief provided with,say,a flat-head screwdriver might be able to ram the ignition slot,force it off from LOCK into ON and...bye bye bike...
I experienced it ten years ago,my 50 cc 1-year-old scooter was stolen outside my high school never to be found again... Needless to say, I had only locked it with the steering lock.
Always use a supplementary anti-theft device,such as a chain guard, a U-lock,a disk lock; I personally use the latter, it's small and can easily be stored under the small seat compartment.
Clearly, none of the above is the ULTIMATE anti-theft device, organized thieves can steal any bike/car bypassing any kind of device;but they can make casual thieves walk away from a bike secured with a lock they can't tamper with because they don't have proper tools.
Or maybe they will decide to try and steal the bike parked next to yours...as ancient Romans said, "mors tua, vita mea" (=your death, my life)
..oops...I've been longish as usual in my post...and I'm goin' off topic...

Lamps, and ride safe!
simon.