Just got back from a 2 week trundle around France, 3 nights on the Loire, a week in the Auvergne and a couple near Paris.
First big trip on the 650 for me and the missus (nearly 2000 miles) and the bike was faultless.
Comfy, enough grunt, handles nice, light weight, sips petrol. It was perfect for the the 'cols' of the Auvergne. Dealt with the motorway slogs fine at 70-80mph. Obviously with a little 650 twin dragging 2 'generously proportioned adults' and 2 weeks luggage around, you have to give it a few revs for overtaking etc, but it never seemed to mind.
Seen a few posts on here recently asking if the 650 is capable of 2 up touring...I'd say yes, easily.
All of the above is in comparison to my old FJR1300 and it manages fine for us, its obviously never Going to have the go of the big Yam but to be honest I never really missed it.
I'm very happy with my new choice of tourer and it will be with us for some years.
Couple of little niggles. The finish leaves a lot to be desired, think I'm Going to be constantly touching it up (ooh er missus) but from what I've seen this seems to apply to most manufacturers recently.
Also, why oh why do manufacturers insist on building bikes over 500cc with bloody chain drive...its a pita.
Oh and by the way, if you've bever been to the Auvergne, do your self a favour and plan it into a trip, it's really good for biking.