A not uneventful trip..... [long and dull]

I've heard it's not the size that's important; it's what it you do with
it.
I'd suggest you're doing the wrong thing if your arse is getting bruised!

(I'm sure if I got serious and went over that bike I could get another
inch out of it without making it unrideable. Pity you're a squillion
miles away!)

 

Betty, it's possible to have the seat narrowed rather than cut down
lower. It's just as effective and more comfie cos you still have the
padding under you.

It's been a while since I've ridden an SV, so I can't recall how much
extra width is there at the tank end of the seat, but many bikes do
have an abundance of unnecessary side padding. Removing it makes a
lot of difference to how easily your tootsies can reach terra firma.

Dammit girl, if the bike won't fit, make it!

j x