I have a 2014 factory 300. After a few rides I checked the race sag and found about 50%. I used the published 7.1" of travel to calculate. I tried to add preload to get to 33% but it looks like I'm running out of threads on the shock body and don't want to damage anything. I did get to 40% with about 1/2" of bike only sag but would like to get to that 33%. The odd thing is that I only weigh 155 lbs so would think it would be easy to adjust for little sag.

1. Could this bike have come with a light spring or is this normal?
2. If you keep on adding compresstion can you damage teh threads on the shock?

I think you are dreaming at 7 inches of travel. Way to much worry about sag.

It's normal. Stronger springs available from Steve Saunders.

I think the rear end sag should be approx 80mm with you in riding position on bike measured vertically between rear mudguard and wheel spindle. The front end sag should be something similar. That is close to 50% of total travel and should be about right. I have seen that people often recommend 40-50%,of travel but I feel that 40% makes the suspension too stiff and insensitive.

With more preload, I ended up with about 75 mm of sag. With riding gear and camelback it is probably just about 80. Pushing up the back should get the linkage in a more progressive area of travel but I don't know what the progression curve looks like for this bike. The change definitely makes the back end feel more lively. Better riders should really like it..... but, for me, I'm not so sure. It will take a couple of rides to decide.

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by mcman56