I thought I had it traded off for a 650 Vstar but didn't much care for it. After polishing up the old girl for the trade I've decoded to keep her until I get the cash together for a BMW. There just aren't that many bikes out there that have the looks, MPG, handleing, light weight, ease of maintaince, support (this site) and comfort that the GS does. One of the things that was giving me neck pain during long rides was the left hand grip was slightly foward and down more than the right. I pulled it about 1/2" back and up and now it's much more comfortable. I did over 300 miles in my 2 days off this weekend (100 friday solo and 220 sat with the wifie) and had very little discomfort except in the seat.
This is where my question is. There's a Mustang seat on Ebay that fits 2000 and earlier. Mustang doesn't make a version to fit newer modles (F models). What are the major differences in this seat and the F modle seats. I'm thinking it is where the mount pins are as the seats themselves look quite similar. If I can't make a Mustang seat work I'll have one made off my seat at a local shop. There are gel kits with memory foam that look like they will make the saddle comfortable enough to run down to reserve without stopping.
Take it in to the local shop. People have made seats fit the opposing year, but it looks a bit off, usually. I recovered mine and added some more foam myself, but that's not for everyone, and I have to admit that the seat I had done professionally on my old Maxim did look better than the one I've done. But the one I've done looks far better than it did when I started, and feels better as well.
Why not try a gel buttpad?
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/butt-buffer/butt-buffer.htm
I had a gel insert put into my old GS seat (for those in the NW, Rich's Custom Seats knows bikes and has never done me wrong), and it was great, but I'm thinking of picking up one of these so I can swap it between bikes.
Good call on skipping the V-Star. :p Get a used F800ST - they're getting a lot cheaper - or FZ6. Great bikes for getting your mileage on while still not being big touring pigs.
Those along with the 1150RT are on the list. I'll do the upolstry shop gig on the seat.