I've learned - mostly from the folks here - that very small differences in technique make a huge difference.
I was having a lot of trouble with the 2nd gear shift in mine when I first got it. Three changes made a huge difference for me. Presented in descending order of importance:
- rev to at least 2,500 rpm when cold (this tip from folks here)
- pull slightly driver side when shifting (this tip from folks here)
- don't shift too slowly (my contribution)
Doing those things eliminated almost all my issues, even even when it got sub-freezing here.