[WintrSol]

Some over on the Intruder Alert forum have made cheap lifts from lumber and gas pipe. Usually a 2x8 or 2x10 to lift the bike, and a long piece of gas pipe as a lever. Suitable hardware to secure fasten the pipe to the board is required, and reinforcements as you may feel are needed.
You may need to move the fairing so the lift can contact the frame or engine block with either type.
Another solution is the stands that fit to the axle, if you have the clearance for them. I've seen them at the MC shop; can't say how they would work on your bike, though.

Oh, and the noise could still be the brakes; there could be something stuck in a caliper and rubbing against the rotor.

 

[WintrSol]

Wouldn't it be odd for wheel bearings to be making noise after <3000 miles?

Yes, it would be odd; not unheard of, but unlikely. Noises like what you describe are usually some kind of road debris or loose parts, rubbing where they shouldn't be. A backed-out fender bolt, for example, could be rubbing the rim.

 

[WintrSol]

It could be something in the caliper, but in the space between the pads, where only the rotor should be.