What can't you modify on the NS to make it a comfy touring bike? I confess that I have never bought into the Bike Friday mystique. They talk about customization, but with the Downtubes, everything's standard - you can customize with off the shelf parts to your heart's content. Want longer reach? Change the stem. Want drop bars? Install one or get Origin8 drop bar-ends. Want better drivetrain? You can get SRAM X.7 parts of eBay for cheap. Want different wheels? Well, you know what to do.
Again, I just don't buy into the Bike Friday cool-aid. Sorry.
Caveat: The only thing not alterable is the frame. On the NS, the wheelbase is 39 inches, probably a couple inches shorter than optimum for touring.