Glad to here you are liking the tourist. I have the same bike and I love it. I agree about the stock pedals sucking, replaced those with some nashbar touring clipless pedals and am liking them much better. The stock tires should work fine for you for a while, I rode mine for almost a thousand mils and never had a flat, just replaced them recently with some 25c conti ultra gatorskins for less weight and rolling resistance.

Have fun with your new bike!