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MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, Producer - Sedans & CoupesMore articles: Trucks

Matthew Skwarczek

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.

2,381 posts From Author
Black Carlex Design-modified Ford Ranger
Trucks & SUVs

Carlex’s Ford Ranger Can Go Off-Road in Luxury

Though the Ranger Raptor’s future is in jeopardy, Ford’s midsize pickup truck continues to soldier on. The Ford Ranger is already fairly impressive in terms of off-road capability in its base form. But that’s been bolstered by various overlanding and off-roading builds. And now, design and tuning firm Carlex Design is adding its own luxurious …
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Red Tesla Model 3 with homemade solar panel trailer
Hybrids & EVs

Can You Charge a Tesla Model 3 With a Solar Panel Trailer?

Despite some quality control problems, the Tesla Model 3 remains a popular EV. Though there are faster electric cars—and motorcycles—the Model 3 has all the features and range most people need. And yet, despite having access to fast chargers, some customers still suffer from range anxiety. But instead of getting a gasoline-powered backup charger, one …
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Dark blue 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Valiant restomod on the track
Coupes

The Valiant: An Aston Martin V8 Vantage Restomod for the Track

Though it has built continuation replicas of famous models, Aston Martin hasn’t featured too heavily in the restomod scene. Especially in the sportier parts of restomodding, like Gunther Werks’ 993-based 400R. Which makes sense, given that even the brand’s 911 competitor, the V8 Vantage, was more GT than a sports car. But one Nurburgring instructor …
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Used 2013 BMW F 800 GS motorcycle with saddle bags
Motorcycles

The Best Used Off-Road Motorcycles Under $10,000

There are a number of excellent affordable motorcycles that you can take off-road. However, some may be nervous about bringing a brand-new bike to get banged up off-pavement. However, as is the case for most beginner bikes, the simple solution is to get a used motorcycle. It’s likely already been beat-up a bit. Plus, buying …
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Black 2020 BMW M235i Gran Coupe vs gray Audi S3 vs silver Mercedes CLA 35 AMG sedans
Sedans

The BMW M235i Gran Coupe Takes on Its German 4-Door Rivals

Despite having ‘coupe’ in its name, the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe is still a German 4-door sedan. One that has both a sportier trim—the BMW M235i Gran Coupe—and several rivals. But between the M235i, Audi S3, and Mercedes CLA 35 AMG, which is the better stylish, fast sedan? YouTube team Throttle House wanted to find …
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Grey-brown 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave truck crossing a dune at sunset
Trucks & SUVs

How does the Jeep Gladiator Mojave Compare to the Rubicon?

Being ‘Desert-Rated,’ rather than ‘Trail-Rated,’ sets the Jeep Gladiator Mojave apart from the rest of the lineup. Especially from the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, arguably one of the best off-roading trucks on sale today. But does the shift in focus from rock-crawling to dune-crossing make the Mojave worse? Or is it the better Jeep Gladiator trim …
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2020 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycle sliding through the desert
Motorcycles

The Best New Off-Road Motorcycles Under $10,000

Off-roading on 2 wheels can be tricky—but it doesn’t have to be expensive. There’s a wide selection of modern affordable motorcycles with a degree of off-road prowess. But the best-suited are adventure motorcycles and dual sports. And, if you thought off-road adventures were outside your budget, the bikes described below sticker for under $10,000. Best …
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Orange 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante with the top town in front of the beach
Coupes

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Is Still Wonderful Without a Roof

Originally, many high-end automakers had independent coachbuilders design and assemble their cars’ bodies. And Aston Martin was no different. In fact, one of its most iconic cars, James Bond’s DB5, was designed via a licensed version of Italian coachbuilder Superleggera’s construction system. And to pay tribute, the company’s name appears on the British carmaker’s newest …
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2020 BMW F 850 GS Adventure with white, red, and blue livery parked in hangar
Motorcycles

What Do You Need to Go Off-Road on a Motorcycle?

Preparation is key for off-roading a truck or SUV. And it’s even more important if you’re going off-road on a motorcycle. However, getting ready for an off-pavement motorcycle adventure doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here’s what you’ll need. Picking an off-road motorcycle The first step is figuring out what kind of off-road motorcycle you’ll need. …
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Green Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R motorcycle
Motorcycles

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R: 250cc, 4 Cylinders, 17,000 RPM

Though it makes a motorcycle with a 200-hp supercharged engine, Kawasaki also offers bikes with engines better-suited to newer riders. Bikes like the Z125 Pro, and the Ninja 400 sportbike. And as bikes like Honda’s RC166 show, sometimes the smallest engines are the most impressive ones. That’s a sentiment the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R clearly …
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White 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon driving on a city bridge
Trends

We Still Can’t Believe Cadillac Built a 556-hp CTS-V Station Wagon

GM’s brands haven’t always been managed well, and Cadillac is no exception. Especially when it comes to unconventional performance models. Admittedly, Cadillac never offered something as unusual as the SSR convertible pickup or HHR SS panel van. But considering American tastes, Cadillac’s station wagon was definitely an outlier. Especially when the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon showed …
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R from the rider's right side
Motorcycles

Is the Triumph Street Triple R a Good First Motorcycle?

Buying a motorcycle is often as much about style as it is about performance or practicality. In terms of looks, Triumph does well on the retro front, with bikes like the Thruxton café racer. But the company also has sportier offerings, like the Triumph Street Triple R. I recently bought a 2012 model to serve …
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Blue Rivian electric van styling prototype for Amazon in the studio
Hybrids & EVs

Rivian May Soon Offer an Electric Van and Faster Charging

Though its SUV project with Lincoln is dead, Rivian is still developing its EVs in other ways. And not just by making the R1T pickup and R1S SUV cheaper than expected, or adding a tank turn feature. New trademarks hint that the company might be adding an electric van and crossover to its lineup. And …
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Diagram showing Harley-Davidson's self-driving motorcycle patent
Motorcycles

Is Harley-Davidson Working on a Self-Balancing Motorcycle?

Most recommended beginner bikes are fairly small so newer riders aren’t intimidated at balancing on and handling them. That’s in contrast to some of Harley-Davidson’s bikes. Even its cheapest bike, the Street 750, is about 100 pounds heavier than my Triumph Street Triple R. But Harley may have a solution that could attract new customers …
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Green Toyota Tundra with Toyota Tundra with Scout Campers Olympic truck camper mounted in the bed
Trucks & SUVs

The Scout Campers Olympic Is a Universal-Fit Truck Camper

Going off-roading or overlanding means keeping your gear compact, for safety and ease-of-use. So, towing a separate camper over rocks isn’t really an option. Luckily, there are still ways of having a comfortable sleeping space. For vans and SUVs, there are rooftop tents. For pickup trucks, there are truck bed campers. And Scout Campers’ new …
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Doug Demuro explaining his new car auction site Cars & Bids
Trends

Cars & Bids Is a New Car Auction Site With a Twist

Craigslist may be a used car shopping go-to, but it’s not the only such website. Especially if you’re after classic or enthusiast vehicles, car auction sites are sometimes the better choice. And there’s a new one joining the likes of Bring a Trailer and Manheim that claims to offer something different. At the very least, …
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R from the rider's right side
Motorcycles

5 Things I Enjoy About My Triumph Street Triple R

Despite a few minor annoyances, I’m enjoying riding my Triumph Street Triple R. It doesn’t have the classic styling of the Bonneville or Thruxton. Nor is it off-road-capable like the Scrambler. However, the naked motorcycle does have its own positive points. Shifting and throttling the 2012 Triumph Street Triple R One key take-away from taking …
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Red 1965 Mini Cooper S racing in the snow at Monte Carlo
Trends

You Can Make Your Own Mini Cooper Off-Road Racer

You can have fun racing off-road with unconventional vehicles—and the Mini Cooper can be one of them. Just like classic Porsches and Mazda Miatas have been converted for rallying, so can Britain’s iconic hatchback. And not just in the modern day—the Mini starting racing off-road almost from the start. The Mini Cooper’s off-road rally racing …
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Tan 2019 Mini Cooper JCW hatchback going around a track
Trends

Are the Mini Cooper JCW Models Worth Considering?

Ownership by BMW has taken Mini quite a bit from its beginnings. Although it still makes the Mini Cooper, the brand has expanded its offerings to include larger cars like the Countryman. And even though it also offers hybrids and EVs, Mini maintains some connections to its past. Particularly in the form of the Mini …
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Red 2012 Triumph Street Triple R
Motorcycles

5 Things That Annoy Me About My Triumph Street Triple R

After passing my motorcycle safety course, I spent some time test-riding different bikes before eventually buying a used Triumph. Specifically, a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R naked bike, in-between a standard and a sportbike. And although I’ve enjoyed riding it overall, there are a few places where it could be improved. The turn signals This …
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