What you are describing is fairly normal. Its exacerbated if if short shift in lieu of upping the RPM;s a bit between shifts.

Trans and engine do share the same oil and have since the the 2013 R1200 water cooled engine was 1st released.

Some people say ABC oil garners smoother shifts and XYZ oil and other will say the opposite. You can try different 5W-40 oils and see if there is a change in shift quality.

You recalibrate the transmission if you have a GS911 or have the dealer do it. Like the oil some say it makes a big difference others not so much. I recently recalibrated the transmission on my 2024 GSA and the improvement was miniscule at best. Since I can do it for free (I have a GS911) it was worth it. If I paid a dealer and 1-hour labor to do it I would have been unhappy have spent that amount of money for nearly zero improvement.

The long and the short of it is the 120/1250 water cooled boxers transmissions can still be a bit clunky at times.

Here's the pre/post calibration numbers from my recalibration:

 

Sounds normal to me. The old airhead transmissions are way smoother in my experience. My r65 mono shifts like butter, and the water-cooled boxer is like a tractor.

 

I have a 2021 gsa 1250 and the 1-2 seems the same as my 2005 harley v-rod ( a bit clunky)and i think i hit neutral about the same consistency on both. I agree with the above its like a john deere haha Hopefully like a deere it will just keep taking what you throw at it.

 

It's a quick shifter, not a lazy shifter. It took me about a year to get my muscle memory to work the quick shifter correctly. You up-shift starting from second when your on it. Throttle full open and going hard. It shifts butter smooth. Down-shift with the throttle closed. The rest of the time use the clutch. It's extremely satisfying when your passing someone and the up-shift is so quick.

 

I have not shifted at full throttle yet I let off somewhat. But I love the quick shift and from another post on here I was told no 1-2 quick shifts and yes throttle closed when downshifting.

 

For my QS throttle open (doesn't have to be at or near full) or cruise control set for upshifts. Throttle closed for downshifts.

 

The rev match on downshift (throttle closed) is satisfying as well.