OK, thanks. Didn’t realise the stock rear shock on the 701 was so bad. The stock shock on my SP401 seems fine to my novice backside. It does have the lowering spring fitted though.
Speaking of shock absorbers, I’ve just received a pair of custom built Nitron shocks for another bike of mine (with genuinely terrible stock shocks), not a Husky though. And Nitron recommend they are serviced every 12,000 to 18,000 miles, and even include a service book that can be stamped by a Nitron authorised service provider. So I agree with Nampus, even if the 690 Duke R shock is a high spec, it might be worth getting it serviced.