Wow, quite a bit of activity in the weeks I've been gone.
I've been busy experimenting though!
Preloading and focusing more on matching my RPMs has been a huge success thus far. I've been able to eliminate almost all 'clunkiness' from the bike between 2nd to 6th. Neutral to 1st still gives me trouble, but I've been experimenting with rolling the bike forward while shifting into first, and it seems to be working fairly well.
I've really gotten into the habit of exercising the clutch lever before anything else. Usually after a start in neutral, and then at the first set of lights. All of that has made an impressive difference. I look at myself a few months ago and feel like I was such a newbie. (Well, I really was, anyway).
Couldn't have done it without all of your help! I've also been practising clutchless shifting. As per someones recommendation (I can't remember where or who posted that, sorry!) I started at speeds of 100kph+ in fourth or fifth gear. Basically just preloaded the shifter, dropped the throttle a tiny bit and it slipped into gear as if it was an automatic. No clunk, no sound, nothing.. just a new gear to play with. I can now happily and silently shift without the clutch between 3rd and 6th gears at anything over 60kph. Anything slower, or in less than 3rd gear, and I have a bit of trouble matching the RPMs so I get a harsh clunk, which scares me away from trying again. In any case, I only ever care to ignore the clutch if I'm on a highway, so I'm always going fast enough that it doesn't matter. Anything else and I'm happy to use the clutch and preload. Works fantastic.
Anyway.. I'm off to go have some more fun. I feel my experience just goes up threefold with all the tips I get here compared to just riding endlessly into the night.
Thanks again, I appreciate the input!!