2022 Triumph Rocket3 Gt

I think we're talking at cross purposes here, the pre-load and rebound makes no difference to the actual spring rate - and I find it firm enough to use with NO preload. I have mine wound all the way out (anticlockwise) - it's far more comfortable, and more than adequate for normal road use
 
Suspension set up very stiff from factory, look up triumph rocket 3 2500 Suspension set up by ziggy on you tube, found this helped heaps with mine.
 
Hey Ward cheers for that, yeah I've tried dialling all out its (I'm thinking for me) my understanding is it lengthens the Spring, I find this leads it to pogo through the Spring (I understand Spring rates from Moto x days/ race sag etc) I think these Triumph Rocket3 springs are to soft imo, if I could leave the pre load all the way out as you have it should maintain a soft ride but hold the bike, in a comfortable compress so to speak, then set your Compression to control that progressive motion, I'm going to try pre load 16 in from all out and see how that goes, Compression 2 out from all in, as mentioned in here (and appreciated Guys) its a lotta trial / test setting up, we certainly don't have a lot of settings to play with, I just got quoted a Nitron shock here in New Zealand / Not Cheap APPROX NZ$3000. But KSS in New Zealand are renouned Suspension specialists, so I'm looking at that as my option,
"The Nitron listing is reservoir type with rebound, length and highly responsive dual hi/lo compression adjustability. It also has a hydraulic preload"
Really appreciate the chats! only way to compare/ learn
 
Yeah, I tried everything with the stock shock and never found my happy place! I don’t think the stock shock is very good. The GT version is worse pain because of body position. At 6‘3“ I still have enough core strength to lift up if I see the bump coming. I went with a Wilbur’s. And a bump is still a bump, it is just not nearly as sharp. But this is not a gold wing/comfort cruiser. On corners with ripples, uneven pavement, and just bumps, the difference is very positive/noticeable, almost unreal nice and reassuring. Locked-down, stellar contact motoring. And that’s the kind of riding I like to do on my Rocket. I usually run the tires with 38R and 40F cold pressure.
 
Nice Turbo great to hear the Wilbur's working it's an expensive exercise with my option NZ$3300 fitted (Nitron Shock) but reckon it would deliver what your now experiencing, for a high end performance cruiser Triumph should have done a lot better.
 
I am couple kgs heavier and measured that rear suspension sacks a bit over 4 cm when preload is fully tightened. It is too much. Generally it should sack like 1/3 of spring travel. There was only like 6 cm spring travel left with all preload. I suggest you put full preload, rebound fully open and compression fully tight at first. Start reducing compression first till you feel it good. If it bottoms at bumbs too easy, it is too soft. After that adjust rebound tighter till it doesn't feel like bouncing up after bumbs. Do not put it too tight as whole suspension start to feel uncomfortable hard as spring stays compressed between bumbs. Yes, adjusting rebound tighter the suspension feels harder. I bet you should keep preload fully tight, rebound closer to fully soft and compression closer to fully hard.
 
Nice suggestion dude !! Pretty much exactly what I'm experimenting with