On the larger issue: I know some people like to toe right up to the edge of the abyss, but why push your remaining fuel to the point of fumes? Now, some say it is to see exactly how far you can go on reserve, but again, why? In the U.S. except for more desolate locations there is almost always a gas station within 10-20 miles of whereever you are. And if you are out riding in say, Death Valley, I would just be extremely cautious and fill up at 2 bars left, or if I say a sign that said "last gas for 90 miles"
Besides, stopping every 90 minutes or so is pretty much a given anyway. The pretty ladies at the gas station love bike riders.
You aren't a golfer are you?
Different riding for different folks, of course. If you get off four lane highways, you can find hundreds (thousands?) of examples where next gas is over 50 miles away. Not to mention riding all night through small towns with no automated pay at the pump.
My example was south Dakota on a Sunday afternoon. I passed gas (he he) with 3 bars thinking surely I'd find gas in the next 100 miles, I didn't. Compounding to that, hitting the find gas on the garmin gives you "as the crow flies" which gave a false sense that gas was 35 miles away when after routing (on roads) was 65miles (I hadn't had Fred's primer on POIs on route yet!) and I just started reserve.
I would agree on the interstate highway system there is generally fair warning when 50 or more miles from gas.
I gambled, it turned out fine, just a datapoint.
I would not been able to complete a BBG3000 (gotta sleep) or do too well in rallies stopping every 90 minutes (for fuel).
