Originally Posted by
wrk101
215 ST is a good deal. It is more of a sport touring bike than a pure touring bike. Figure it will need some TLC/rehab. Do it yourself and that is no problem.
Thanks, I do appreciate that evaluation. It is way lighter than my Safari, for sure. I will visit a Charlotte ex-touring guy (with a garage full of road and touring bikes he has rehabbed) tomorrow, just to see what he has to compare. Regarding the 215 ST, assuming I get it, should I keep it all original or modify to suit, i.e., change down tube shifters to bar end or something else? I like the trekking bars on my Safari; would it be heresy to put some like it on the Miyata (obviously no bar end shifters in that case)?