Things that are different Gen 1 v Gen II

[1hotbusa]

I have heard that the steering head angle has been changed, maybe thats why the it handle so well & that must be why it takes the pressure of your wrists,

You're right SIMMO!!!

The rake and trail ARE different.
THE 99-07 is 24.12 deg rake and 97mm trail.
THE 08 is 23.4deg rake and 93mm trail.

That would explain the big increase in flickability.

But that's before dropping the sucker through the fork clamps and increasing rear preload. Guess you can do that to both.