I've had them, along with DT's and STI's. My last bike with them was a Ti bike.
I liked them just fine. The more you ride them, the more you like them.
If you can learn to use the heel of your hand and your little finger to flick them, you'll like that.

I ride the drops, so it was naturally more convenient, just slightly less so than STI's.
A whole lot cheaper. I also routed them along the bars, right to the cable stops.

You must have an '85 Ironman. Help is available for the asking.