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.
Lincoln and Cadillac aren’t the only brands that have built American luxury cars. They’re just the only ones that have survived. Much like Harley-Davidson and Indian once competed with Henderson and Crocker, so too did Lincoln and Cadillac have luxury rivals. Packard, which later merged with Studebaker is one. But even more well-regarded is Duesenberg. …
Although it makes some excellent cruisers, Harley-Davidson’s lineup outside the segment is basically just the electric LiveWire. However, as part of its plan under past-CEO Matt Levatich, Harley was working on several decidedly non-cruiser bikes. One of these planned models was the Harley-Davidson Pan America, an adventure bike meant to take on manufacturers like BMW. …
Although Long Way Up uses Rivian R1Ts as support vehicles, the main mechanical stars of the show are the Harley-Davidson LiveWires the hosts ride. Ewan McGregor and his co-host and friend Charley Boorman specifically chose electric motorcycles for their third journey together. But while the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is fast, it’s still a street bike at …
Overlanding is often done in trucks, vans, and SUVs. But since motorcycles can be used for camping and off-roading, why not overlanding, too? Like the other activities, traveling overland on 2 wheels isn’t necessarily easy. However, with a bit of preparation, there’s no reason it has to be overly intimidating. Overlanding vs. off-roading: motorcycle considerations …
While the four-cylinder 2021 Supra 2.0 has its strengths, the six-cylinder version of Toyota’s range-topping sports car has more power and features. But while the 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 can out-speed the 86, neither are the Japanese automaker’s only sports cars. Lexus has its own, the V8-powered LC500, now available as a coupe and a …
As approachable as the Panigale V4 S is (for a superbike anyway), Ducati’s latest Streetfighter might be even more so. But the Italian marque doesn’t have a monopoly on the high-performance naked bike segment. So how does the Ducati Streetfighter V4 stack up against the competition? Naked bikes vs. streetfighters The term ‘naked bike’ actually …
If you doubt the ability for EVs to be capable off-roaders, Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Up may make you a believer. While the main focus might be the program hosts’ bikes, the support vehicles come courtesy of Rivian. Ewan McGregor and his riding buddy Charley Boorman ride modified Harley-Davidson LiveWires, but the journey was made …
While a beginning track racer might not take full advantage of the Panigale V4’s electronics, there’s a reason Ducati’s super sportbike has been compared to Ferraris. The Italian marque has already expanded its platform’s appeal with the two-cylinder Panigale V2. Now, it’s removed unnecessary accouterments to create the Ducati Streetfighter V4 naked bike. And in …
While cars may be BMW’s main focus today, after switching over from planes, the German marque started with motorcycles first. But while BMW Motorrad offers well-reviewed adventure bikes, touring bikes, and even a new cruiser, it’s still separate from the automotive business. As such, the motorcycles don’t really share anything with the cars. However, that’s …
Because it hasn’t had a US presence for some time, it’s easy to overlook Citroen’s cars. However, the French automaker has an extensive history of innovation. The Traction Avant, for example, was the first mainstream car to feature front-wheel drive, 4-wheel independent suspension, and unibody construction. The later 2CV, which is sort of like France’s …
For both classic and modern vehicle enthusiasts, Bring a Trailer is an auction site worth checking out. But if you prefer the modern over the vintage, that’s what Doug Demuro’s site Cars and Bids focuses on. And if you’re a fan of hot hatches, you’re in for a treat. That’s because this week’s Cars and …
Whether you’re seriously shopping or just browsing, Bring a Trailer is a great auction site for enthusiasts. On it, you’ll find everything from a modern Porsche Cayman to a WWII amphibious Volkswagen. And while some cars sold on Bring a Trailer can command high prices, there are still some decent bargains out there. For example, …
With camping’s recent popularity explosion, it’s little wonder some want to pair it with another excellent social-distancing activity: riding motorcycles. But just like car camping, motorcycle camping requires a fair bit of prep work. However, as with off-roading on 2 wheels, with careful planning, it doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. What kind of …
While the Urus is a ridiculously fast car, Lamborghini’s crossover/SUV has been critiqued for its origins. Under the skin, the Lamborghini Urus shares a lot with the Audi Q8 and SQ8. And now, the German marque is bringing its largest crossover/SUV even closer to the Italian bull with the Audi RS Q8. But is it …
The buildup to the 2021 TLX has been intense, with high hopes resting on Acura’s updated sports sedan. Acura is positioning the TLX against the segment’s stalwarts, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4. Now, the first reviews of the Japanese sedan are coming in. And it’s clear the German cars will have a …
Upon its release, the BMW E30 M3 set a new standard for sports sedans. And like many other European manufacturers, Alfa Romeo wanted to compete with it. Unfortunately, the US never received the sharpest version of the 75 sedan. We also never got its sequel, the Alfa Romeo 155. Which is a shame, because, in …
The M3 has taken a bit of a beating in reviews, as has the base BMW 3 Series. And it’s not just the updated Kia Stinger and Genesis G70 gunning for the 3 Series anymore. The 2021 Acura TLX Type S is ready to square-off with the M3 and the M4 coupe. However, the wraps …
Buying and owning a brand-new Ferrari can sometimes be a hassle, due to the Italian company’s desire to protect its image. And a few of its sportiest cars can’t be street-driven. However, getting a used or discontinued Ferrari, even a classic one, comes with fewer strings. And at that point, there are plenty of high-end …
With the release of the R18 cruiser, BMW’s motorcycle division has something to take Harley-Davidson head-on. But Harley-Davidson isn’t the only bike company with cruisers; it’s not even the only American one. Indian has a long and historic rivalry with Harley, and it similarly focuses on cruiser-style bikes. And for 2021, it might have something …
Even if your car doesn’t use Brembos, your brakes are an important maintenance item. And not just the pads, but the brake rotors themselves eventually wear, too. Especially if you take your car to the racetrack. Because consistent braking is so important, one of the common performance modifications is fitting slotted or drilled brake rotors. …