One thing I've noticed on my 1290 R SE is neutral seems a little hard to find. Quite often, when I tap to hopefully go to it, the gear selector on the dash goes blank. I can usually let the clutch out at this point and it's fine, but if I drop the kick stand it cuts the engine, so clearly it's not actually properly into neutral.

Is this a common thing, or an easily fixed issue?

Check the oil level.

Too much oil makes the gear lever become superhard and it's imposible to engage the neutral.

Okay, will do, thanks. It's only 3 days old, I'd be surprised if they sold it me with too much oil, but I'll check

I had this a few times with my 1290 and was always resolved by bleeding the clutch, ended up having a replacement master cylinder under warranty.

Mine got better as the miles added up, at ~1200 right now and either it is getting better or I am used to it.

Mine seems to come and go. Some days is no problem and some it drives me nuts. Bled the clutch once and maybe it helped some?

I have the same problem with my 1290 -15. Dealer checked it and didn't find anything faulty in it. I bleeded the clutch my self, i even changed back my original levers. Problem is active now and then, don't know what to do with it. Oil level is normal. I guess i have to ride the Sh*t out of it

Mine will do the same, it`s a clutch thing where they need the clutch to fully be disengage otherwise neutral is hard to find.