Well, I've acquired the taste. ST2's are very underated in my view. They're not the most powerful thing on the planet, far from it, but they have plenty enough power not to be embarrased on rideouts and they can hold their own in the fast group on trackdays (as long as you're on a handling circuit, not a power circuit).
Basically, they can scratch, they can tour, they're comfy...what more do you want...
Ah yes, the heavy clutch. It's never bothered me unduly but there are aftermarket clutch slave cylinders that you can buy that cut the effort required to pull the clutch in by about 30%.
The jerky response...could be a number of things like the fueling or the timing, nothing that a good service couldn't sort out....or...it could be that you could do with a 14 tooth front sprocket instead of a 15 tooth one. This will lower the gearing, make the bikes response smoother at low speeds and make second or third gear all you'll need for town work...there you go, less gear changing for your clutch hand already.
Of course, I ride in open country most of the time and it's perfect for that, if you're looking for an ideal town bike it depends what your looking for and the Hornet may suit you better. Personally, even if I did most of my riding in town, I would still have the Duke and be damned.