You mentioned your bike is bone stock. From the factory the bikes run very lean (for emissions) and have, in my opinion, too much exhaust restriction. My 796 was seriously herky-jerky at low RPM, it backfired through the airbox a LOT... the dreaded cough and die syndrome, usually at a stop light or in traffic. You HAD to launch it at 4000RPM... and keep it above 4000 to keep it from lugging.
I installed a set of Arrow slip-ons and the bike magically transformed. It starts easier, it rarely pops through the airbox, I can take it down to 3200RPM in traffic without problems, and the throttle response is far better. No other mods... I still run the factory airbox and filter unmodified, and OEM tune. It's sort of bizarre... you would think it would run even leaner with more airflow, but it doesn't seem to be.
Someone mentioned the 14T front sprocket... I would advise against that, although it's arguable. In fact, I even bought one... just never installed it after reading about the cons. I DID, when it was time for a new chain and sprocket set, went up on the rear sprocket, which helped immensely with in-town driveability... at the expense of top end speed. The good news is I can actually use 6th gear now.