idle problems

[smoker]

I just bought a '96 from its 2nd owner (makes me lucky #3), and it seems like the low rpm and idle speeds are having problems.  I know the gs is notorious for this, but I think mine may be excessive.  Just wondering if anybody has any suggestions other that removing and cleaning the carbs (I realize I may just need to rejet).  Throttle response is very delayed, and rpms take exceedingly long to return to idle.  Bike nearly stalls in first gear unless around 4.5k on tach.  I don't think previous owners did any mods (and minimal maintainence).  I drilled some holes in muffler (around the existing exhaust pipe) as per a "DIY muffler mod" I came across somewhere, but quickly JB welded some bolts in the holes as my bike sounded like a chainsaw...needless to say, I DON'T recommend the "DIY muffler mod".  In any case, I'm pretty sure the engine problems are not coincident with the muffler botch.  It's been running the same since I plugged the new holes. Otherwise nice shape, about 7K miles.

[miket]

You can open up  the pilot mixture screws. It will richen it up a little. Also, make sure that there is no vacuum leak.