I know the sound you are talking about.  I hear it too when I shut off the engine, although not every time.  I seem to remember a discussion of it somewhere on this board, but darned if I can find it.  Maybe one of the board gods will chime in when they see this thread.

Whereabouts in MD are you?  I've got friends in Baltimore I see quite frequently.  My first long-distance ride will probably be to Baltimore and back - about 200 miles round-trip.

650 rider:

I hear the same sound. Kind of like a whirling noise. I don't think it happens every time though, or maybe sometimes I tune it out.

cheers

Michael

I remember reading about the whirring sound in the Stop the backlash thread and I can imagine it so clearly I may have even heard it myself (though I listened for it last night and it wasn't there).  However, from reading that thread, it seems the actual backlash issue would cause a very ugly sound and that the whirring you hear may be fairly common and likely benign.

Are you talking about a vibration/rattle from the speedo area?  If so, that's common.  It can be tightened a bit from the back side with the tank pulled and a shot or two of spray silicone lube between the rubber gasket and the tank will help too.  I've also had a buzzing from the headlight that turned out to be some wiring that wasn't properly secured inside it and a splice connector was vibrating against the housing.

shut down with side stand will have same effect

Interesting to read this.  In the MSF class, they told us to use the red kill button all the time, to develop the habit -- this way, if you're in a situation where you need to shut the bike off immediately, you'll do what you're used to doing, and hit the kill switch (which, in that case, would be the correct thing to do anyway).  

So I've been hitting the kill switch and then turning off the key.  

So that does actually damage the bike, then?

My Bike "whirr's" somewhat after shutting down with either the kill switch or kick-stand lock-out ... can't remember if it does so or not with the ignition key as I've used it so few times ... left side below the seat is not really an ideal location for shutting off with the key as it requires removing the left hand from the clutch ... and making sure the Bike is in neutral before doing so.
I was in the habit of using the kick stand to shut-off ... that way I wouldn't forget to put it down ... than started using the kill button (as taught a M/C safety Training) ... forgot the stand one time and down the bike went ...
I like the idea of using the key, but as said it's in an awkward location ... will using the kill or sidestand actually cause ignition problems in the long run?