I love my '11 650R! I've taken it from NV to PA and back (~5000 mile round trip). The back seat provides a nice place to strap a gym bag/saddlebag, to carry stuff such as tents/clothes/etc. I'm at 23k miles and it still starts the first time, and runs great.

Its fast off the line, tops off around 120-130mph. Gets around 40-45 MPG (with a power commander you can squeeze 50 MPG or so out of it with the right tuning). Handles great on corners and is a great bike to get around town too. The stock brake pads are double H rated (highest grip pad rating that is street legal), but I suggest getting some steel braided brake lines for the front, as it takes away the squishyness and makes them really responsive.