Out of Gas

The afternoon weather has been delightful for several days now. There were some high clouds this morning, and tonight will be quite chilly, but every afternoon brings us sun and 70’s. It is the reason so many people call southern AZ their home for January and February.

Yesterday we drove our motorcycles up Route 95 to Parker and Lake Havasu City. Lake Havasu totally owes its existence to the tourist trade. The town is spread out over many miles of scenic highway, dotted with numerous fast-food restaurants and resorts. Besides enjoying the lake and resorts, tourists can visit the nostalgic London Bridge, dismantled in England and reconstructed here several years ago.

We had lunch at one of the nicer burger restaurants, checked out a couple gift shops, strolled across the bridge, and drove a loop road around the island. It was getting along in the afternoon so we headed out to the highway and road south back to Quartzsite.

I had driven about three miles from town when I noticed the low fuel light pop on. I assumed there was still enough gas in the reserve tank to reach Parker, about 20 more miles to the south, so I continued on. After five more miles, my heart sank as I felt the motorcycle sputter and quit, leaving me no option but to coast to a stop along side the highway.

Richard and Dianna pulled in behind me with puzzled looks, and were as surprised as I had been to learn my predicament. Dianna waited with me as Richard drove back to Lake Havasu to buy gas and a can to put it in. Now I know that when the low fuel light comes on I had better be very near a filling station.

Tomorrow we will move down near Yuma for a couple of weeks. There are new things to see, and of course, the town itself is a trove of markets and stores; it will be nice to have a place where I can get some fresh fruit.

4 Responses to “Out of Gas”

  1. Don says:

    On my 2003 bike I can go over 40 miles when the light comes on. The newer bike doesn’t have quite as much of a reserve but it’s certainly over 30 miles.

    At least you now know.

  2. Dick says:

    I told him it wasn’t a low fuel indicator — it’s an out of fuel indicator.

  3. Donna says:

    Yikes! Lucky thing R & D were right behind you, or you would have been pushing.

  4. Daryl says:

    So if that is an “out of fuel” indicator, does that mean you don’t have a “low fuel” indicator? That would be a shame!

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