DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Ernest At Coit Tower

Q: Hi Ernest. Welcome to Defend Your Ride San Francisco. Nice motorcycle. What can you tell us about is?

A: The first time when I got it, the headlights in front look like eyes. It looks like a shark to me, so I call him Sharkie.

Q: How long have you owned your Sharkie?

A: A year and a half. I have another vehicle. I use Sharkie mostly when I go to the gym or when I go to school because I do not want to go in traffic. I also go to church, so on Sundays I take it to church. That is basically it. I got it from another owner. I bought it secondhand in San Jose.

Q: Was it a good experience purchasing the motorcycle?

A: Pretty good. It was my first bike in America. I own two in Singapore and my first ride home was pretty scary, but pretty fun. You can go pretty fast on the freeway here. I was thinking of bringing Sharkie to the Oyster Farm where you take I-5 with a lot of curves, but no, it's a little dangerous. I'll wait for my friend to do it with me.

Q: Can you listen to music on your motorcycle?

A: Yeah, yeah! You can install speakers. You can actually mount speakers on the bike. It's too loud and it's too dangerous to listen to music from my iPod while driving. I just enjoy the breeze.

Q: If your motorcycle had a human emotion, what would it be and why?

A: I think it would be between quiet, like shy, and aggressive! Meaning like it's really nice and can be a calm drive at times. Yet when I need it, or want it, the power will come in and I can just take off. At times when I do not need the power, it can be gentle and quiet.

Photos and interview by Brandon Oldham

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSSanFrancisco.com/Autos.