I have a 2004 GS 500 that I've owned for about 3 months.  It goes well enough except for one small, nagging problem: it can often be extremely diffiicult to get into neutral gear.  With the engine turned off, it can be all but impossible.  With the engine running it's a bit of a lottery - the majority of times it will slip straight in but on other times it can be very contrary.  I usually know that when it won't go into neutral the first time I'm in for a struggle.

Has anybody else had this problem?  If so, was it overcome, and if so, how?

when coming up form first to neutral, don't pull up like you're shifting to second. Just lightly raise it up unitl it hits neutral so the bike doesn't think that you are trying to go back into 2nd. I usually just use the edge of my shoe and barely push up unitl the nice little green light comes on

if i cant nudge it into neutral from first i just pop it into second and push down as lightly as i can till i see the light come on.

IMO  you need to adjust your clutch cable.
try Kerry's site for a quick vid


http://www.bbburma.net/

Oil level can affect this as well.

When the engine is off to get it in neutral you should roll the bike back or forth then roll the bike so that there is no tension in the chain and you should then be able to select neutral.