running Avon Venoms- 46 rear, 42 front
no extra baggage
rear shocks set just like they were from factory.[/QUOTE]

WHAT!!

The stock settings will remove your fillings! Crank it up till the bike sags no more than 15mm when you perch your buns in the seat.
Myth: Soft settings make the ride smooth.
Fact: Soft settings reduce the travel limit of the shock so it bottoms out rapidly. If the travel length is 4 inches and you take up 2 inches just sitting on it, hitting a bump reduces the travel to 2 inches, thus making the ride harsh. Increasing preload prevents the static sag (you sitting) from taking too much travel up so the ride smooths out.