Leno's bike looks almost identical (though in much nicer condition) to the company "hack" I used for commuting to and from work. Sure there was more vibration than I really liked, particularly compared to the prototype Commandos I was riding for a living, but it was a very pleasant machine with good street performance.
For about the first 5 months I was at N-V, I commuted from our home in Kenilworth (Warwicksire - a few miles south of Coventry) aboout 45 miles to Wolverhampton. It was mostly winding 2-lane country roads with negligible traffic and was definitely a good way to unwind at the end of the workday. For a short time, I had to ride a 50cc 2-stroke Motom because the 650SS was being used in tests at Plumstead. That Italian turkey got worse gas mileage than the 650!
I might get in touch with Jay and pass on my 650SS experience.