If lots of force is required to compress it, even slightly, you can bet that spring needs to be changed. On the front forks expect to see 5-10 mm of Free Sag. When the Static Sag is correct and the Free Sag is less than the recommended minimum a heavier spring rate with less preload should be considered. A lighter spring is recommended when the Free Sag is more than the recommended maximum. Most street bikes are set up with fork springs that are too soft for aggressive riding even on the street.
Racers generally use higher spring rates with less preload than street riders.
Don't make the mistake of trying to set up your street bike like a racer. When in doubt, consult a good suspension tuner. To conclude, Static Sag for a particular bike and rider combination is determined by spring rate and preload only. Damping settings are dynamic forces, meaning that they only occur when there is vertical suspension movement. Damping settings do not affect Static Sag, which is measured when there is no suspension movement.