If someone gave you a brand new 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12X, what would you do with it, where would you go? Buell wants to know, in fact, if you sit down and write a 250 word essay to describe your idea of the ultimate American on or off-road riding adventure, where you would go, the routes you would follow, why you want to take the trip and a little bit about you, you might get the chance to live your dream. Buell is giving away a new Ulysses XB12X to one lucky winner and it could be you! They’re also including money for parts and accessories and travel expenses. Pretty cool.
You must be a legal U.S. 50-state resident at the time of entry, at least 18 years of age and have a valid motorcycle license.
A few months ago, we told you about the winner of the Build It and Win It contest and several comments said, “Man, I wish I knew about that contest sooner.” OK, now you know about this one right at the start. You have until June 23rd to write the essay so give it some thought and get started. Someone’s going to get the bike, might as well be you.
From Buell:
BUELL ANNOUNCES AMERICAN ADVENTURE GRANT CONTEST
Grand Prize Includes a new 2009 Buell XB12X Ulysses Motorcycle
Buell Motorcycle Company today announced the American Adventure Grant program, which will award the grand prize winner of an essay contest describing the ultimate American riding adventure a new 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12X motorcycle, $2,500 in credit for Buell Parts & Accessories, and a check for $2,500 to complete the trip of his or her dreams.
“Since we introduced the Ulysses in 2005, riders have been sending us ideas for two-wheel adventures that they’ve dreamed of taking on one of our bikes. For many of them, something was getting in the way of their dream ride – they didn’t have a bike, there wasn’t enough money, they didn’t have the right gear. We wanted to put together a program that would help make their dreams a reality, and the Buell American Adventure Grant will do just that for one lucky winner,” said Chad Hockerman, Buell Market Outreach Project Manager.
To enter, participants must complete an online profile and submit a 250-word online essay describing their trip on the Buell Contest Entry Page by the deadline of 5 pm EST on June 23, 2009.
In their online essay, applicants are asked to describe their vision of the ultimate American on or off-road riding adventure, including destinations, the planned route, their reasons for wanting to complete the trip, and a description of previous riding experience.
All applicants must be legal U.S. 50-state residents at the time of entry, age 18 or older, and possess a valid motorcycle operator’s license, but do not need to be current owners of a Buell motorcycle.
Link: Buell Contest Entry Page
Kenny says
Will the Adventure include loss of teeth fillings and generally not feeling “Good Vibrations”.
😉
taxman says
i had a buell and i never had any issue with vibrations. in fact i don’t think i’ve ridden a V-twin with less vibrations. unfortunately i was in an accident and the bike was a casualty. i would have purchased another but the local HD dealership no longer sells or services them.
oldtimer says
Kenny, are you really that well off, or sensitive to a little vibration, that you wouldn’t accept a FREE Buell. Cripes…I’m 55 yrs old, grew up riding Triumphs, (lets talk vibration!!)or whatever I could afford to throw together and get started…………
I swear,kids these days……………..
Gotta go, find that dictionary,,make an outline,,,,crap, I can’t write, but I’m still going to try!
todd says
How much could I get for it if I won it? Is there a clause that stipulates I must keep it for a certain number of years or complete the route I set out in the essay? Will they include time off from work or alleviation of marital and paternal responsibilities?
-todd
oldtimer says
Love this new age crybaby, you owe it to me, wah, wah, wah..
Hey Buell, I’ll take your motorcycle, and I’ll appreciate it…………..as you kids love to say…….”Imagine”……….
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit….
kneeslider says
todd, if your first thought would be to get rid of the prize, your essay about where you would ride it wouldn’t be very truthful, would it?
todd says
nope, not the least bit. does that matter?
-todd
oldtimer says
No, not one little bit. Like mommy always says, “It doesn’t matter honey, you just go ahead and do whatever your little heart pleases.”
todd says
the truth would go something like this:
Dear Buell;
If I had a Buell XB12X I would live out the American Dream. I would ride it to work every day along the same highway that has brought me the freedom to enjoy The Ride, pay my bills, and keep my house. I would Live The Adventure that only the peace of mind from carrying out my responsibilities can give. I would Wave The Flag of the honest, hardworking, American Man that I have striven to become. I would be Damn Proud to be living The Adventure on the only bike that would make it all possible; the Buell XB12X.
-todd
oldtimer says
Okay, now I’m writing to apologize to Todd. Sorry bud, good luck, may the best essay win…. all that.
The reason for the apology? Thinking about this thread has given me a fantastic idea on how to base my essay!!
I’ll put “TODD” on the plate as he was the inspiration for the essay! (just kidding about the “TODD” thing)
oldtimer says
Todd: Just a little tip. You don’t need to capitalize adjectives. Could make your essay a little “over the top”, so to speak.
Gotta go…….Got an essay to write!
Good luck.
or verbs, either.
FREEMAN says
Well, I think this is a cool idea. I encourage all those that would actually take the trip to enter. I’m sure they’d follow up on your ride. It’s good advertising for them, you know.
Kurt says
Ditto Freeman! Great idea and promotion. I own an 06 Uly and love the beast. To have a chance to win another is great.
nobody says
I think I know how to double my chances of winning!
Todd, if you win it, I’ll take good care of it until you get released from prison.
And If I win it, well, I wouldn’t want to make you any more miserable than you are now by writing about how much fun it is.
Doing what I can to promote hapiness……
todd says
The capitals were inserted to highlight all the required search terms that H-D will use to filter out the entries.
Thanks for the apology.
-todd
Kenny says
Oldtimer,I live in Ireland, i’ve never been within spitting distance of an Ulysses, well.. apart from that book, or any Buell for that matter. So i’ve no chance of excersising my literary talent(inculding horrible grammer and spelling), though if it was a worldwide competition i’d write a very descriptive story of my journey all two miles of it, before getting run over by some stupid soccer mom with a SUV on the blind country lanes.
And i’ve read a few stories of the Ulysses vibrating it’s way along the forecourt while on it’s kickstand!
oldtimer says
And I thought I was the cynical one! Todd has it all figured out. Going to be tough to beat!
Kenny, sorry if that two mile journey really happened to you. Motorcycling is inherently dangerous, and is simply not worth the risk, if you don’t love it, or get nothing from it. Perhaps if I win the Buell I’ll invite you over. We can gripe and moan about the archaic behemoth vibrating its way down my driveway while idling. I must warn you though, I’ll probably cut the gripe session short, and take a little ride instead.
I’m afraid life simply isn’t fair. Sorry, nothing I can do about that. I’m exactly one year out from quintuple bypass surgery after a healthy life. I have a short little list of things that I am going to do as much as possible before “the big one” Motorcycling sits firmly in fourth place on that list. Bemoaning my lot in life, strangely enough didn’t even make the list.
Claymore says
It’s a pretty smart move by Buell. It’s kind of like this…
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.â€
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
oldtimer says
Yeah…what he said…..hey – you got Anthony’s cell #??? Could use a ghost writer on a little “essay” I’ve been working on……..
mobilus says
Dear Buell,
Paul Newman (as American an icon as the pushrod V-twin engine) once said in the film The Color of Money, “Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.” Since it’s beyond me to deny the myth making of American culture, my own amended philosophy has become, “Motorcycles won are twice as sweet as motorcycles bought.” I’m not a U.S. citizen, yet should I persevere as per the legends of the silver screen, and be the one example of truth amidst a world of friction, I would be victorious in your contest and win the XB12X. What road I would ride with said XB12X and why, are of less consequence for the path and greater for the journey; experiencing the bookends of outer stimulation and inner tranquility that would come with each moment in the saddle; knowing and appreciating that man’s full dream for freedom is truly universal. American or not, movie star or not, a legend or not, I dream that I too may ride off into the sunset, my tribulations vanquished and my lungs filled with the sweet breath of liberty for all.
Nicolas says
Antoine disappeared in a recon flight above the mediterranean sea, during WWII. Not sure you’ll get him on the cell phone.
Between the bike going it’s way down the driveway while idling and the soccermom waiting at the end of the driveway to run over it, there should still be a little hope to reach the wild open spaces, no ?
I don’t know what Buell has to gain by giving away a bike to the best poet, but it’s still a cool idea.
Claymore says
mobilus, I’m getting all verklempt!
todd says
Mobilus said it best.
-todd
verbal says
Well, I’ve entered. But I wonder if they think I’m experienced enough to complete the 3000-mile journey I’ve outlined…. I guess we’ll see.
Bentzra says
Holy moly: I am really surprised to see such animosity towards Buell for giving away a motorcycle. I for one would love to win it (and I did enter) not because it’s the number one bike on my dream list but because they are giving a bike away – I mean come on.
Aside from that – I have ridden a few Buell’s in the past and did like them.
Lastly – some of the ridiculous and unfounded gripes and replys about this contest are really funny; I esp. liked oldtimer’s reply to Todd about the caps – I got it todd
Scott says
I’m rooting for Oldtimer.
I hope whoever wins it is someone who deserves it and can enjoy it. It would be a shame if its won by someone like the cynical sorts on here.
JC says
” But I wonder if they think I’m experienced enough to complete the 3000-mile journey I’ve outlined….”
that might make it an “adventure” and not a journey
It builds character.
🙂
oldtimer says
mobilus: Well said. (Secretly glad you can’t enter! Sorry!)
Nicolas: re: Tony. Therein lies the joke……
Bentzra: EXACTLY!!!!!!!
Scott: YOU DA MAN! and along with Bentzra are my newest bestest buddies!! Even though Bentzra tries to buddy up with todd there towards the end of his post. I apologized for crying out loud! todd, show me some love, man.
mobilus says
oldtimer, I actually submitted that to Buell just before I posted it here. Despite the fact that I don’t qualify for the contest (Canadian), I hold the faint hope that the contest committee members will display some of that Harley-Davidson-Mother-Corp-Rebel-Attitude, and reject their own rules in favor of granting the grand prize to my entry. Of course, I’m well aware that their company lawyers will have no interest in honoring the veneer of their own marketing departments. But heck, if I couldn’t dream, I’d have no reason for motorcycles.
Bentzra says
Ha ha – this is a good one.
oldtimer – and everyone else that entered – good luck in the contest. I’d love to see one of us win it and be our own post here.
Bulldog says
I just called Buell Corporate Headquarters (Friday 7/24). They told me that the winner will be announced at the end of August, instead of Friday, 7/17 which was listed on the contest website. They found out themselves by email on Wednesday. I guess we all have to wait a little longer!
Maggie Mae says
Anyone know who won? I’m wondering what Buell thought the Greatest American Adventure was, one worth this grant…
I know every time I hit the road, it’s my personal Great American Adventure…
Kelly says
Paul Crowe: I would like to challenge you to follow up on this story. Buell has yet to announce any winner to this competition, as well as present the promised award. In my book this is the same as going back on their word, aka lying. Where is the integrity in the American manufacturing segment? Honesty and promise-keeping once was the hallmark of our business practices and ethics in this country and I consider it to be expected of such a hallmark organization as Harley Davidson. If they have decided not to continue the contest, then they should at least fess up to that fact (whatever the reason may be, such as if all the entries – my own included – sucked so bad that they were embarrassed to find that they could not even pick “the least of the evils”.) Mr. Crowe, please hold them to account!
-Kelly
Steve says
I agree with Kelly!!! I’ve been watching their site since the due date and have been frustrated no winner has been announced.
Slash says
I gotta agree. No mention of a winner yet is very frustrating. I’ll throw my $.02 if they need more entries…
Steve says
Winner was announced. Got it in the monthly Buell email:
Adventure Grant Winner Announced
Congratulations to Carter Sisney for winning the Buell American Adventure Grant contest!
Carter will be riding his new Ulysses XB12X through Montana – soaking in the sights from Yellowstone National Park, off-roading on 4WD trails near Round Lake and taking in panoramic views of Montana’s highest peaks at Grasshopper Glacier.
Steve says
More details on the win and the winning essay:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0909_buell_announces_american_adventure_winner/index.html