Here's a
picture early in its life. It is considered comfortable by sportbike
standards. However extended high speeds were hard on the neck due to wind
pressure. Long hours were equally tough in the seating department so something had
to change. Favorite Bikes (Mine)
I have only three bikes listed here since the rest are quite forgettable. I've ridden just about everything I can get my hands on putting serious miles on several. Each bike has it strengths and weaknesses but I discovered I like a sporty but comfortable bike suitable for day rides (rather than 20 minutes bursts from stop light to stop light). I guess that means I'm a "sport-tourer". It took me a few years to figure that out so my advice would be to experiment with both bikes and rides That way you'll like things based on exposure not ignorance. (Most people are quite narrow in their bike tastes being strongly affected by advertising and their peer group when starting the sport.)
1992 Suzuki GS500E: This is the first bike I owned so it deserves honorable mention. Purchased in 1992. It mustn't have made a big impression since I have no pictures. A very serviceable all round bike for beginner to intermediate riders. The seat is a little high for the ladies (as it is on most sportbikes) and the bias ply tires last forever (which is good until you want to stop...). I sold it with over 50,000kms on it..
1996 Suzuki Bandit 1200: This is the first bike I really liked and is my favorite all round motorcycle. 1996 was the first model year of this bike (it didn't change for at least 4 years) and it is simply a great bike. The big engine is tuned for low end performance where most people ride. From 0-60mph it is one of the quickest. Wheelies are a throttle twist away in first or second gear. The B12's top end speed doesn't match a good sportbike but who really cares? Too many things can happen at those speeds and most of them are bad. The bike is a stump puller, with good tires, good handling, good brakes and a bullet proof engine.
Here's a
picture early in its life. It is considered comfortable by sportbike
standards. However extended high speeds were hard on the neck due to wind
pressure. Long hours were equally tough in the seating department so something had
to change.
First a "touring windscreen" 
requiring $10 at the local
plastic shop, a few minutes in the oven for shaping, and finishing touches with a
sander. Not perfect but serviceable and cheap enough.
Then the seat. It is actually the same stock seat as above but reshaped to my liking and covered by U&U Upholstery (Master craftsmen who unfortunately have since retired...if anyone knows of a good and inexpensive upholstery shop for these things please let me know.).
I also added highway pegs located off the lower engine mount. These are from an old Honda but fit perfectly.
The out-of-focus extract below shows a few more additions. 
Two 3-inch plated turnbuckle nuts
from Home Depot to act as handlebar raisers. Some of the best $4 I've spent.
The best cruise control I've found is a $15 NEP plastic unit. Just visible in this picture it is simple, mounts on the throttle grip and works as well as any non-load sensitive cruise control.
I wanted an all weather clock and splurged with a Sigma BC800 bicycle
trip computer. This little unit provides current time, elapsed trip time,
instantaneous speed, average trip speed, odometer, trip mileage plus a few things
I've probably forgotten. I think it was $25 and is one of the few bicycle units that
works on a motorbike. It is visible mounted on the center of the handlebars.
Here is a backrest I made
to keep the passenger from falling off while, ahem, leaving a stop
light. It just clips in. It would have matched the seat if I
had finished it....but I bought a used Goldwing instead.
Details of the backrest holder and mounting arrangement are shown below.
The white tie straps hold the wiring hardness in place and have nothing to do with
the backrest. The existing upper cross-piece is permanently reinforced with another
plate bolted in place. This was simple so I did it to be safe. I don't know if
it is really necessary. The lower cross-piece addition is left in place permanently.
NOTE: If you're trying to copy this, the cowling hole placement must allow
clearance between the bracket and the taillight.
Converting to solo riding takes a couple minutes (only the black
backrest bracket needs to be removed) and looks like this:
1984 GL 1200 Goldwing Interstate: New (to me) in 2000 with 59,000kms. This is probably the most expensive backrest ever added to a Bandit 1200. 'Wings are basically storage compartments with an engine. Essential for long distance 2-up touring. The bike is a tank to get moving (800 lbs. wet) but surprisingly nimble once above walking speeds. The suspension isn't up to hitting the twisties with any gusto so I upgraded to Progressive suspension front and rear. This helped a lot but a sportbike it isn't!
The stock seat was a little grungy from previous owners using Armor-all rather than just wiping it down. And while it was comfortable by motorcycle standards, it wasn't perfect. So I decided to make a custom seat. I was given a spare seat (thanks Ron!!) and went to work. Details are here and the end result is shown above (I made a driver's backrest while I was at it).
Update October 2001: I've put about 25,000km on the Goldwing so far this season. It's proving great for 2-up or long distance riding. The comfort factor exceeds any sportbike, the storage is very convenient and the suspension mods mean it's decent to ride. But anyone who says a 'Wing handles well (especially when pushed) is senile. The B12 with two flat tires does better...