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 G-Wagon isn’t the only off-road vehicle with military history. Motorcycles were commonly seen transporting messages and troops—usually over difficult terrain. Today, those going off-road on 2 wheels prefer dual sports or adventure bikes. BMW is a popular choice for the latter. But decades before the first BMW ADV, the Swiss military turned to Condor’s …
Though performance is somewhat absent from its lineup these days, Nissan once offered quite a selection of enthusiast cars. And quite a few, like the 350Z and 370Z, became popular drifting cars, thanks to their rear-wheel drive. But there’s another Nissan, long out of production, that’s still regularly seen in the drifting circuit: the Nissan …
Even outside of Henderson, American motorcycle companies have included more than just Harley-Davidson. And we’re not talking about Indian, either. In addition, even before Harley tried branching out into new segments, there was one American bikemaker that offered not just sports bikes, but innovative entry-level ones, too. That company was Buell. And although it’s still …
Even outside the Porsche 911 community, classic car restomod builds are extremely popular. So much so, that a few automakers have built continuation models of their own iconic models. That includes Jaguar’s special lightweight versions of its iconic E-Type. But if you couldn’t get it, British company Eagle offers a version that might be better …
On the outside, the 2021 F-150 may not look terribly different from the previous-gen pickup. But Ford’s best-selling truck, and arguably most important vehicle, has quite a few updates both inside and out. That includes a new hybrid powertrain. However, as impressive as that is, where’s the electric Ford F-150? Does the 2021 Ford F-150 …
If you want to improve a car’s handling, better tires are one of the easiest modifications you can make. But tires and upgraded suspension components can only go so far. Especially if the goal is straight-line speed, you’ll eventually have to tune the engine. A common first step is installing a cold-air intake. But does …
Despite its somewhat rocky financial position, Aston Martin’s not quite dead yet. And it’s actually branching out into the 2-wheeled segment—specifically, with motorcycles. But the upcoming Aston Martin AMB 001 isn’t a solo effort, though. To develop it, Aston Martin called upon another iconic British company: Brough Superior. This isn’t Brough Superior’s newest bike This …
Whether it’s through turbocharging or tuning the ECU, most horsepower-boosting modifications boil down to ‘more fuel and more air.’ Done improperly, though, and you’ll end up with a broken engine. However, there is another option that some claim is good for a few extra horses: aftermarket exhaust headers. But do they really work? Exhaust headers …
It’s sometimes amazing to think how quickly certain car features, like keyless entry and Apple CarPlay, become almost a requirement. Some manufacturers even provide systems to put the latter in their classic cars. And now, with many vehicles featuring push-button start, the physical key may soon be nothing more than a backup tool. That’s certainly …
Though the R33 Skyline is in many ways an improvement, Nissan’s R32 Skyline GT-R is still a performance icon in its own right. It helps that, like the MkIV Supra, the R32 was overbuilt for its time, able to take on massive power gains. And, with its all-wheel drive, put that power down well. So …
While the F150 may be called America’s pickup truck, it’s not the most American-made truck Ford offers. In fact, it’s not even the most American-made vehicle the Blue Oval offers. In the former category, it loses out to another Ford, the Ranger. And in the latter case, there are plenty of other non-trucks ahead of …
While SUVs may have started supplanting them, sedans remain a popular vehicle choice. However, some people want the more stylish looks of a coupe. Hence the creation of so-called ‘4-door coupes’ (which are really sedans) like the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe. But does going for a true 2-door coupe mean you’re giving up on practicality? …
Although cars and motorcycles differ on a few maintenance items, they both need to be washed regularly. Giving your motorcycle a wash isn’t just about aesthetics, though. It removes contaminants, like bugs, which can damage the paint, and potentially cause rust. Unfortunately—or, rather, given how they can damage paint, fortunately—you can’t just take a motorcycle …
Besides its better-than-reported range, the Porsche Taycan is an impressive car, not just an impressive EV. However, even though it’s not electric, the 911 has traditionally been the German automaker’s centerpiece. Especially the Porsche 911 Turbo S, which packs supercar-level performance. But, as YouTube team The Straight Pipes describe, the EV may have caught up …
Banning the Confederate flag was a crucial first step for NASCAR as it confronts the racism within its fanbase. Racism which recently reared its head once more. As of this writing, there’s only one black NASCAR driver, Bubba Wallace. And on Sunday, June 21, 2020, someone put a noose in his garage stall. The noose …
If an RV is outside your budget and/or space, a pickup truck bed camper makes a great alternative. However, for smaller trucks, finding a camper that fits in the bed, and light enough to prevent overloading, can be tricky. Go Fast Campers’ products definitely fit the bill, but they’re a bit light on features. Luckily, …
New Jersey-based Specialty Vehicle Engineering has already recreated the speedy GMC Syclone once before in 2019. And for the 2020 model year, SVE brought the limited-production pickup truck again. Both trucks made more power than the original GMC Syclone. But, in a world where the Ram Rebel TRX is about to break cover, 455 hp …
Today, some of the most popular bikes in a motorcycle company’s lineup are the retro-style ones. That’s something BMW knows very well. And not just because of the reception its own RnineT café racer and upcoming R18 cruiser enjoy. Classic BMW motorcycles have also become a trend in their own right. Classic BMW motorcycle history …
Whether you’re using them for road trips or camping, RVs have shot up in popularity recently. With the ability to take the comforts of home somewhere new and maintain social distancing, it’s easy to see why. But whether new or used, if the goal is getting out into the world, RVs aren’t necessarily the perfect …
Even before the supercharged 200-hp Ninja H2, Kawasaki offered some pretty powerful motorcycles. And that includes cruisers. Today, the idea of a ‘power’ or ‘muscle cruiser’ isn’t that unusual. Harley-Davidson, Ducati, and (arguably) Triumph offer bikes that fall into those categories. But the 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 LTD was the first. How the Kawasaki Z1 led …