Ohlins Shock
 

Just about to go on a trip to France on ST4S (2001) and want to know about the shock absorber. If I have got the panniers full should I adjust it anti or clockwise all the way and what should I do if I am pannier free? The Ohlins shock is manually adjustable on my bike (big black plastic thing on the cylinder).. Thanks people!

you should have three diferent adjusters for your shock, preload, compression damping and rebound damping, quick read of the users manual should help explain as settings are very personal, one peace of advice though is only adjust one thing at a time so you came feel the changes and put it back to where you started if you don`t like them