Matthew Skwarczek started blogging in 2015 and focuses his writing on motorcycles and engineering science. A graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned his Master’s in Chemical Engineering, Matthew served as an applications engineer for BASF before joining MotorBiscuit in 2019.
In Matthew’s words, the visceral nature of riding requires you to be in the moment. Combined with his fascination in the analytics surrounding the building and designing of cars and bikes, both modern and classic, you’ll find his voice blends functionality and phenomena. He rides motorcycles and bicycles often, photographing them as well.
Matthew has contributed to Oppositelock and is now an alumnus. He plays Dungeons & Dragons and reads sci-fi and fantasy in his spare time, and appreciates the works of Peter Egan, Sam Smith, Brandon Sanderson, and Alex Goy.
The WRX isn’t the only car Subaru makes, but it’s arguably one of its most iconic. However, just like its now-departed rival, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, it wasn’t always sold in the US. Before it offered the WRX here, Subaru broached the market with a different Impreza. And it’s this week’s Cars and Bids bargain …
Vintage air-cooled 911s may be fun to drive, but these classic Porsches have sky-rocketed in value over the years. And that’s not even including the restomods companies like Gunther Werks create. But there is a way to get the classic style and most of the vintage performance in a more affordable package. And it’s this …
For traveling long distances to camping sites or sight-seeing, touring motorcycles are typically the bike of choice. And if you want to get there quickly, one of the fastest choices is the Ducati Multistrada. It’s been updated for 2021 into the Ducati Multistrada V4, becoming the first production motorcycle with adaptive cruise control. But that’s …
If you’re looking to haul people and their stuff on road trips, minivans make more sense than SUVs. While the selection has shrunk in recent years, the Toyota Sienna remains a common favorite. And it’s been updated for 2021, with a new hybrid powertrain. However, the update includes a higher price tag, to the point …
Automakers aren’t just restoring their beloved classic models anymore. Some high-end marques, like Aston Martin and Bentley, now offer brand-new models built using old-school methods. In the hands of independent companies like Eagle or Pur Sang, such cars would technically still be ‘replicas.’ But when the automaker does it, they’re called ‘continuation cars.’ And it’s …
With the new Defender winning Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year award, it’s clear that Land Rover’s update didn’t ruin the nameplate’s legacy. Still, there’s a significant number of off-road enthusiasts who fondly remember the classic model. As a result, several companies have started restomodding vintage Land Rover Defenders, and even converting them to EVs. …
Activities like camping and overlanding show that enjoying motorcycles can be about more than sheer speed. However, sometimes that’s exactly what you need from a bike, even outside of the racetrack. For example, if you need to deliver food like, say, a pizza before it gets cold. And more power, or just more engine, are …
Even without an official US Raptor, it’s not uncommon to see the Ford Ranger geared up for off-road adventures. Customizers and tuners like Hellwig and Roush have done so, as has Ford’s own Performance Division. However, not all pickup truck competitions involve off-roading; some are done on paved roads or tracks. And as Ford of …
The Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI ushered in the concept of the front-wheel-drive hot hatch. Since then, other models have tweaked the formula. The Saab 900 Turbo, for example, introduced turbocharging. And the Lancia Delta Integrale broached the topic of all-wheel drive. But not all hot hatches were sold in the US. And getting one of …
It’s safe to say that the King of the Baggers race has gotten a lot of attention from motorcycle racing fans. Even from ones who previously wouldn’t have been interested in cruiser bikes. We recently chatted with the winner, Tyler O’Hara, who raced on an Indian Challenger prepped by S&S Cycle. But there was another …
Although the V-Series Blackwing models won’t have Cadillac’s Blackwing engine, they’re shaping up to be serious performance sedans. Plus, like the BMW M3 and M4, you’ll be able to get them with a stick. And recently, Cadillac unveiled details about another V-Series Blackwing feature: magnesium wheels. Why are the Cadillac V-Series Blackwing models getting magnesium …
For performance with daily practicality, the usual answer is a hot hatch. And some of the best modern ones, like the Honda Civic Type R, can even embarrass classic supercars. But some hatches went beyond ‘hot’ and went straight to ‘super’ thanks to some drastic changes. And YouTube team The Straight Pipes recently spent time …
Cruisers aren’t usually the kinds of motorcycles associated with racing. And when they do hit the track, it’s typically for drag racing in a straight line. But this year’s inaugural King of the Baggers race held at Laguna Seca sought to change that. And we recently sat down with the race’s winner, Tyler O’Hara, over …
While classic-looking motorcycles like the Bonneville are arguably Triumph’s most popular models, they’re not the British brand’s only ones. In addition to adventure bikes, it also makes naked bikes like the Speed and Street Triple. However, while Triumph’s bikes are good, they can also be pricey. Which is why it’s bringing back a classic name …
The R35 GT-R may be getting old, but Nissan’s supercar can still serve up serious speed. However, it’s no longer the only ‘Godzilla’ on the block. Its forbidden-fruit predecessors, the R32 and R33 Skyline GT-R, are now old enough to import. But in terms of the ultimate ‘can’t have it’ car, it’s tough to top …
While it’s not the only motorcycle company with retro-style models, Triumph is one of the most prominent. The Bonneville, for example, is arguably the best example of a neo-classic bike. But the British marque has more to offer. For instance, the Triumph Thruxton RS, which is Popular Mechanics’ best retro motorcycle for 2020. But is …
The Pan America adventure bike is joining the Harley-Davidson lineup soon. But for now, the vast majority of the brand’s sales come from cruiser motorcycles. And while companies like Royal Enfield are getting into the segment, Harley’s bikes are typically the standard. In fact, Popular Mechanics considers the 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Glide the best cruiser …
As fun as it would be to camp and ride your motorcycle throughout the year, the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Especially in northern states and climates, where winter pumps the brakes on riding. However, just like with cars, improper storage can damage your bike. But getting your motorcycle ready for its winter nap doesn’t have …
While the Mustang is now Ford’s only performance passenger car, until recently it offered several more. The AWD Focus RS tends to be easily remembered, but it isn’t the only hot hatch Ford once offered in the US. It’s not even the only Focus-based one. The FWD Ford Focus ST may have been overshadowed by …
It doesn’t have the Panigale V4’s engine, but the 2020 Ducati Panigale V2 doesn’t need it to deliver serious speed. Plus, it’s more affordable than the V4 model, which is a good thing for riders interested in setting lap times and carving up roads. As a result, Popular Mechanics called it the best superbike of …