First of I am still quite a NOOB (been riding about 3 months and yes took MSF course) and have a 98 GS.  The other day I began to experience a stutter (once it was more like a buck) when I got around 6 or 7K rpms in any gear, so I shifted into the next gear to lower my rpms and it went away until my rpms would get into the 7k range.  Also once I get into 5th or 6th gear, I really have to get on the throttle because it feels like it is boggin down.  I have been afraid to ride it anymore, thinking I could cause more "damage".  

Where should I start looking for a solution to this?  Any help would be appreciated. ( I checked my chain tension {thinking it was slipping} and it was within the specs according to my Haynes).

Thanks
Brandon

My suggestions would be

check the choke cable to make sure that it is not engaged in the off position.

How does it run on PRI?  Petcock on the tank may be clogged causing fuel starvation.

Try some carb cleaner.  The carbs may just be dirty or clogged.  If all elese fails you may want ot pull the carbs and give them a good cleaning.

Check the air filter.

Check for vacuum leaks.

It sounds to me like an air or fuel issue, but it is hard to tell with out being there.

Sorry ot hear you are having trouble with my old bike.

Good luck

Matt

After pullling out the Haynes and printing the "How to " from this forum.  I pulled the carbs and cleaned them.  When I opened them, they looked clean but I soaked them in Kerosene and wiped everything clean anyways.  I put it back together and took her for a spin.  No stutter, no buck.  Runs great.  

Thanks for the help in getting your old bike back into shape.

And thanks to the forum and Marc Malagelada Duch for the great "how to" http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm.

Brandon