I have had my 2013 base model Multi for 3 and a half months now and have done 7,000km. I was getting the feeling lately that the suspension has really settled, and that it was too soft. So yesterday I decided to check the sag. First had a look in the manual and was interesting to see they ship these bikes with no pre-load on the front. Mine had none as per the manual. I weigh 100kg, so I needed a fair bit of adjustment. Ended up with almost full pre-load of the front (4 quarter turns out from full in), and 40 "clicks" on the pre-load adjuster on the back. Ended up with 56mm of sag in the front and 54mm in the rear. Went for a quick ride afterwards, and really feels like it has made a significant difference, definitely a lot more stable in corners. I am looking forward to a longer ride over familiar territory to compare, but very happy with the result so far. I can highly recommend setting your sag properly.
There seems to be a common misapprehension that preload, and by implication sag, makes the suspension harder or softer, it doesn't. What it does do is adjust the 'neutral' point in the range of movement of the suspension and affects how topping out and bottoming out occurs. I agree it is very important to set properly however.
Its unusual to use "clicks" when setting preload, (is the 13 such a different beast), normally its turns in of the big nut at the top of the fork leg / castellated nut at the rear. Clicks (turns out from fully in) normally apply to damping settings. . either way its something that should be done as you say once things have bedded in. Mike 1200S
Give me an adjuster and I'll adjust it, I'm a life-long tinkerer, I can't see the point of having an adjustable bike and not adjusting it to suit you.
The preload on the rear is adjusted with a knob that you turn (i.e remote pre-load adjuster). On my old VStrom that just turned freely, but on the MultiStrada it has distinct "clicks" so you can count them out. For the front you are correct, it is a big nut and it is measured in turns.
I have the 2013 S touring and my front preload is backed right off also, however the sag seems about right and Im using most of the travel with plenty left over for potholes so I've just left it alone.
