Ft Irwin California??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 700
From: St. Clair Co., MO
Ft. Irwin sucks HARD. Stationed there in '88/'89 & a rotation there in '96. Nothing to do, middle of nowhere. Coldest I've been in my life was in the Mojave desert- 11* F, 75 mph winds & 4000'. Boo on that.
When I was there, I seem to remember it was 34 miles from the main gate to Barstow.
I'd go w/Ft. Riley.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I work about 75 miles from Ft. Irwin. It's high desert. Windy. Cold in the winter (for California). Hot in the summer. Some snow (once in a while). Some rain, but not much. The constant is the wind, and blowing dust.
Not too far from Barstow, which, while it's not a major metropolitan center, has most of the amenities we expect, e.g., shopping, eating...
As stated, not more than a couple of hours from a lot of good stuff, e.g., beach, mountains...maybe two hours or so to Vegas.
It's going to be culture shock for you, and your wife. That is, since you're 'East Coast', you're used to green things. There isn't much 'green' in the high desert.
Thank you for your service.
Alan
Not too far from Barstow, which, while it's not a major metropolitan center, has most of the amenities we expect, e.g., shopping, eating...
As stated, not more than a couple of hours from a lot of good stuff, e.g., beach, mountains...maybe two hours or so to Vegas.
It's going to be culture shock for you, and your wife. That is, since you're 'East Coast', you're used to green things. There isn't much 'green' in the high desert.
Thank you for your service.
Alan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
I'm not worried about my handguns nor my Kel Tec. My suppressed SBR with 30 round mags would get me since I didn't register it with the state before 2005. Since I would be moving back to the state I could be considered as importing banned mags. Although the military rule would protect me I'm still a California resident thus voiding that exemption. If my SBR didn't get me my Saiga with detachable drum would.
As for the bike, it would need inspection from DMV. The aftermarket pipes and the tuner (that states it can't be registered in California) would probably
cause some problems for me. Hell, my lawnmower has a huge sticker on it that states it can't be sold in California.
Lastly, I don't like paying the outrageous state taxes. As long as I'm not working in the state I don't have to pay them.
As for the bike, it would need inspection from DMV. The aftermarket pipes and the tuner (that states it can't be registered in California) would probably
cause some problems for me. Hell, my lawnmower has a huge sticker on it that states it can't be sold in California.
Lastly, I don't like paying the outrageous state taxes. As long as I'm not working in the state I don't have to pay them.
The inspection on an out of state motorcycle is only to verify the engine and frame number, nothing more. It is done by a clerk at DMV and is only done because California lists the engine number on the title and some other states don't. They don't care about pipes, tuners superchargers or anything else. Only that it is not stolen and the engine and frame numbers are there.
I bought a used 49 state emissions 20011 Ultra Limited with pipes and a tuner last year in Montana and had it shipped here. When I brought it to DMV, I read the engine number to the inspector and he wrote it down because he couldn't see it very well. He verified that it had over 7500 on the odo (not needed if you are a resident of another state and moving here). The Vehicle Verifiers are not trained to identify non approved mods and there are no safety or smog checks on bikes so the bike would not be a problem. The SBR and Saiga would be though.
Last edited by dribble; Nov 5, 2013 at 06:37 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Deatsville, AL
I was never stationed there but I did spend over a week there for training back in '10. Base is in the middle of nowhere, PX is small, not much to see and do right around base. Closest city as far as I know is Barstow about 45 minutes away. I wouldn't wanna spend much time there.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
Big *** sand box
Lived in Barstow for 30 or so years, The wind BLOWS an BLOWS, most of the time. Irwin is 35 miles north of there. Dry heat in the summer"115deg. average", "34 deg.average" winter AND the winds a blow'in most of the time.
You learn how to ride leaning into the wind.Big bear mountains bout100miles away to the south, LA 180miles or so to the west. DEATH VALLEY just over the mountains to the north east. Oh yea , and you get only two seasons, summer or winter. Lovely place, that's why it's a desert. If your going to be doing time in "haa-gie land" it's good for getting used to the suck-*** weather. I don't miss it though. Killer
You learn how to ride leaning into the wind.Big bear mountains bout100miles away to the south, LA 180miles or so to the west. DEATH VALLEY just over the mountains to the north east. Oh yea , and you get only two seasons, summer or winter. Lovely place, that's why it's a desert. If your going to be doing time in "haa-gie land" it's good for getting used to the suck-*** weather. I don't miss it though. Killer
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Just curious if anyone here has ever been stationed at FT Irwin CA, or lives near here. Army isn't giving me many options on this next PCS, Ft Irwin Ca, Ft Riley Kansas and FT Drum NY. FT Drum is too damn cold and short riding season. Ft Riley the wife says her name isn't Dorothy and we dont own a dog..lol Leaving Ft Irwin. I'm a east coast guy but I figure this is the less of the 3 evils. What's out there? Riding? dealers or a good indy? Thanks in advance.
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Ft Riley, KS
one note that i didnt see anybody mention. With the wind, you will probably end up needing a new paint job by the time you leave. I've got a few buddies at Irwin currently and I work with a guy that just PCS'd from there. Guy who just left ending up sweet talking his insurance into a new paint job because his truck got basically sandblasted during a bad wind storm. Riley isn't too bad, been here just over a year now.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
What others said is true -- its high desert and can get blistering hot in the summer (I love it) and be colder than a witches tail in the winter -- throw in some snow once in a while -- yes it does have a lot of wind - -but being a desert person, the wind really wasn't that bad
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 8
From:
I'm currently stationed at Ft Riley. You wanna talk about wind? And cold? The last snow of the last season was May 5th, the first snow this season hit last month. The summers are regularly 110+...and humid too. The winters are extremely raw because of the wind. KS sucks. Terrible riding roads too. Worst duty station I have ever been to. Drum was an option for me. Turned it down because of the snow/cold as well. I'm thinking that may have been a bad move. The northeast has some great riding...when it's in season at least. Ft Irwin looks identical to Afghanistan. I've only been there for NTC, but I would hate to be stationed there.
