Of course part of is is joystick tuning, as Thorsten mentioned, but I can fly very different planes like the DC-3, the DR 400 and the ASK-13 with the same settings , so it should also be possible with the 172. Part of it is obviously getting used to the plane. Another part is the joystick: Aerodynamic force feedback is one thing, but also the opposite seems to play a role: The real ailerons don't center themselves by a strong spring mechanism, like a joystick does, so it's easier in real life to keep the yokes turned to the side a bit. You probably do it more or less automatically, while you tend to leave the joystick in a relaxed, centered position if you don't concentrate. Using aileron trim in an "aggressive" way (much more than it is necessary on the DC-3) and weakening (!) the joystick spring mechanism helped me to be able to fly the 172 in a more stable way.
Once in the air, it isn't that much more "twitchy" than the DR 400, but on the ground there is one more problem: The nose wheel steering. As there is a
related thread already, as I found out today, I'll continue there.