Hey? Don't flame me outta the forum here, but all this switch/swap/new shock, big shock, talk....
Everyone has exhausted trying different settings first right?
You know, one of the big reasons we bought this bike, it can change on the fly, 16 presets for suspension... Infinite combinations in a blink...
When you look at default settings, they seem to leave a bit to be desired if you're worried about too soft. The only default that I see that is "full hard" is the Sport two riders/bag option that is rear Comp=0 and rear Reb=0 preload=16
Sport 1rider/bags is RC=5 RR=15 RP=16
I'm 230# w/o gear and I just wanted the free shock swap too, so I took her in and had the Multistrada trained guy and their suspension guy help me out. They did some quick measuring and figuring and we popped a zip tie on the forks and....and...etc. Verdict, "hey you're plenty stiff, try tweaking settings, take some notes, if you have to come back and tell us what it isn't doing right and we'll go that route before a swap.
I didn't spend 2 hours total. Between a section of nice tight twisty road with a preceding straight, some hard braking a few wheelies and some notes. Combined with some Left thumb time to change settings.
and...
I raced last weekend, mountain course, rain, wet, dry, elevation, at 230# I'm feeling mad dialed in, maybe a bit more fork PL, already did 1full turn. We'll see