How well I remember! The only time I ever ran out of gas was on my '68 Honda SuperHawk. I had flipped the valve to "reserve" a few days before, proceeded to forget about it, then ran the tank dry. Lucky for me, I was just cresting a big hill, and was able to coast down to a gas station at the intersection at the bottom.

 

petcock

 

It may not be wise, but it does them no harm whatsoever. I've been riding EFI bikes for 25 years with no ill effects.

 

i take it you had fuel in a jug with you...?

 

Agree. Three things.
1) the fuel pump is not submerged when the tank gets below 1/2 full. The pick up "sock" is literally at the bottom of the tank. The fuel pump does not care if it's submerged 100% of the time.
2) the pickup tube is a "sock filter" and it will keep even the finest materials out of the fuel pump.
3) when the fuel pump can no longer pick up fuel (because it's empty) the fuel remaining in the lines can no longer be pressurized so it is not expelled. Thus, the fuel injectors are not run dry.

 

From post #1:

 

yes. mentioned jerry can + its in the potato picture.