How you set your shock's spring preload and tire pressures depends a lot on personal tastes, within limits. My personal preference is for the suspension to be set as soft as possible without bottoming out under whatever riding conditions I'm dealing with.

Unfortunately at 250+ pounds, I usually have to set shocks at or near the highest preload to keep them from bottoming on smaller bikes (Including my Savages). As for tire pressures, I usually prefer just a couple of pounds less than the highest recommended pressure marked on the sidewall. That is a good starting place for me. From there, I might let a bit of air out of either tire as the hardness of the ride, and handling feel permit. I generally don't like to have ANY sensation of a tire squirming, or sidewall flexing on street tires. I want a firm solid feel, just shy of hard and harsh. On dirt bikes, it is a whole different game depending on the surface you're riding on.

BTW, why such an aggressive tread for a front tire on the Savage? That tire looks like it belongs on a trials bike or some kind of dirt tracker. What exacly is it?

Thanks. I just asked about that front tire, because I like the looks of it too. Looks like tires found on some of the "adventure tour" bikes like the Buell Ulysses.

But I've found that there are almost no dual-purpose tires available for the 15" rear rim on the Savage.