Originally Posted by Bandera

If you were expecting a certain response and got something else you need to put miles/hours on the machine in a variety of conditions/speeds to learn how it actually does handle. Messing about with hardware changes won't make it into what it is not, a Ninja.

Find a nice big flat grassy area (unless fond of crashing on gravel or tarmac) put a few water bottles ( or objects that you would not mind running into ) in a slalom pattern and practice L/R runs at various speeds using F/R brakes and generally mess about. You did take the MSF Basic Rider's Class? Do variations of those drills on the bicycle on grass. Nothing like mild cyclo-cross to learn handling skills in a low traction crash friendly environment.

-Bandera