Lucky you!, Sorry for your friend.
Over here we've been told these tariffs will help make the US great again. But your strategy is good thinking for the future, buy second hand and let someone else pay the tariffs, import fees and all that.
Are you concerned about the war? Being that Ukraine is a neighbor does it affect you at all? Here in the USA we recently learned that it was really Ukraine that invaded Russia and that Ukraine is the aggressor. At least this is what they are telling us now. Everything has changed and we're adjusting to the new truths.
Where do you do most of your touring? In my service and civilian travels I've been to Germany, Austria, Czechia, Italy, Switzerland and most NATO nations. The small hamlets and pristine beaches all look like great riding.
Welcome again, please post often and with many pictures. And if you ever make it to the USA on vacation, holiday or on some other visa let us know. You shouldn't have too much of an issue getting into the US. I have a CVO Ultra that hardly gets ridden that you can use. Together we can ride Lake Tahoe, the coast, the Big Five National Parks pretty much anywhere you would like.
Ride safe, stay safe.
Hi Ironhorse
Yes, I think I was lucky. I didn't plan to buy CVO, I wanted the SG special but I'm happy with such turn of events.
As for the tariffs... IMHO EU and US are close allies and this should be resolved other way but unfortunately this will be the reality for next 4 yrs.
The war in Ukraine has big impact on Poland. Most of all we have now millions of refugees from Ukraine. You can meet them everywhere. Good thing is that they have a similar culture to ours (Ukraine is now what Poland was 30 yrs ago) so they assimilate quite well into our society. What's most concern what will happen to all those soldiers with PTSD after the war end. If Russia wins they will flee to the west, most likely Poland, Germany then we will have to handle it somehow.
In Poland we also have different view of Russia because of our difficult history. Poland was always an enemy of Russia and vice versa. Actually the war with NATO is already on, not in the old fashion way with guns but hybrid. We see a lot of Russian influence on our politics, sabotages (strange large numbers of fires in Poland) and really active threat on our border with Belarus.
But beside that we live normal lives (if you can say so after COVID and all the mess going on now).
My bike trips usually are domestic with abroad trips once a year. Then I liked to go to Croatia, Montenegro, Italy and Czechia (I live 70 miles from Czech border). Did some trips to Germany (Bavaria). Last years didn't had much time to ride due to family growing up but I hope now it will change.
I wish to go to US for vacation when my son will be old enough to ride the bike long distances. We'll see. Thank you very much for the invitation and your offer. I'll keep it in mind.
Cheers