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A close-up of a red 2020 Ducati Panigale V4 S's dash with TFT display and a silver Ohlins steering damper
Motorcycles

Your Motorcycle Might Need a Steering Damper

Changing things like the handlebars and wheels on your motorcycle isn’t always just about aesthetics. As with aftermarket mirrors, some modifications are as much about safety and comfort as they are about looks. Especially when it comes to handling-related accessories. And if you’re trying to improve your bike’s handling, one common recommendation is fitting a …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A black Valentine V1 Gen2 radar detector with its Bluetooth and red directional arrows lit up
Trends

Is Investing in a Radar Detector Worth It?

From new windshield wipers to extra power outlets, there are plenty of accessories available to make life easier for motorists. And if you’re planning a road trip, one common recommendation is a police radar detector. Anyone with a history of speeding tickets would likely consider it a must-have. But is it an accessory worth buying? …
by Matthew Skwarczek
RV instructor Freddie Heller teaches Washington Post travel writer Andrea Sachs about her rented RV Saturday, September 19, 2020, at a KOA campground in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
RV

Is Buying an RV Security System Worth It?

Recreational vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and many people are buying their first RV. As with all things, there are some pitfalls that new owners might run into with their camper. One such issue is security. Here’s a look at why buying an RV security system could be worth the money. Is a security system …
by J.L. Seto
A parked black 2004 Range Rover Sport with tinted windows
Trends

Is Your Car Windows’ Tinting Illegal?

Tinted windows are undeniably cool. We’ve all seen action movies and music videos filled with luxury vehicles whose darkened windows add enough panache to make us drool. But when it comes to car safety, dark window tinting isn’t always a good idea. Even if a Lamborghini is out of your price range, you can legally …
by Cary Hillside
A close-up of a white 2015 Audi A5 Cabriolet's LED headlight
Trends

Can HID and LED Headlights Damage Your Eyes?

Car headlights shine so brightly today in part because, as with many automotive accessories, new technologies are available. Instead of halogen bulbs, headlights now often feature HID bulbs or LEDs. However, while dim lights can be a safety hazard, so can blindingly-bright ones. But more than simply dazzling drivers, can HID and LED headlights cause …
by Matthew Skwarczek
The diagram of Michelin's electric reverse motorcycle motor patent
Motorcycles

Michelin’s Patent Could Give Any Motorcycle a Reverse Gear

From quickshifters to lighter wheels, there are plenty of accessories available to motorcycle riders. Some modifications focus on making the bike quicker. But others, like aftermarket mirrors, are about making riding easier, safer, and/or more comfortable. The latest patent from Michelin falls into that vein. But it’s not, as you might expect, some kind of …
by Matthew Skwarczek
The grille of a modified violet 2017 Dodge Challenger with blue LED headlights
Trends

Why Do the Brightest Car Headlights Seem To Be the Bluest?

Although bright car headlights can be annoyingly dazzling, your lights are key safety accessories. Poor headlight performance is what led the IIHS to rank the Subaru Outback lower than the Legacy, for example. Still, as anyone who’s been blinded by an oncoming car with aftermarket LED or HID headlights can attest to, it’s possible to …
by Matthew Skwarczek
Various cars with their headlights on driving down a city road at dusk
Trends

LED or Halogen, Color Temperature Matters for Headlights

Even if you’re not planning on installing some LEDs, headlights are a common car maintenance item. And even if you’re sticking to halogen ones, making sure your headlights are clean and clear is an important safety concern. But how bright the lights are isn’t the only thing to pay attention to when picking out bulbs. …
by Matthew Skwarczek
BFGoodrich Off-Road Wiper blades on a rain-streaked gray-blue Jeep Wrangler
Trends

Do Off-Roaders Need These New BFGoodrich Wiper Blades?

Even if your vehicle is off-road-ready from the factory, going off-pavement requires the requisite set of accessories. That means protective skid plates, snorkels for easier breathing and occasional water-crossing, and, depending on the destination, light bars. Plus, off-road-rated tires, of course. BFGoodrich could already help out with that last part. But the tire company recently …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A white JDM 2021 Honda Odyssey with Mugen parts
Midsize

Mugen Makes the Honda Odyssey Look (and Stop) Sharp

As impressive as the 2021 Odyssey is, the Honda minivan still faces a criticism leveled at all minivans: styling. Hence why the 2021 model received a mild redesign meant to deliver a ‘macho’ look. But if that’s still not enough, famed Honda tuner Mugen has stepped up to the challenge. Mugen has an extensive history …
by Matthew Skwarczek
The black 2021 KTM 390 Adventure optional spoked wheels with blue and orange inner tubes
Motorcycles

Should You Give Your Off-Road Motorcycle Spoked Wheels?

Going off-roading on your motorcycle can be fun, provided you have the right gear. However, that doesn’t just mean getting the right helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, and so on. Your bike also has to be prepped for the off-pavement excursion. But besides installing a skid plate, an off-road motorcycle needs the right tires and wheels. …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A pair of black Mo'cycle prototype motorcycle airbag jeans
Trends

Are Motorcycle Airbag Jeans Worth Wearing on Your Ride?

A solid motorcycle helmet, while absolutely vital, is just one of several safety accessories you need to go riding. You also need good gloves, a proper jacket, and a solid pair of boots. And, naturally, you also need a pair of quality pants. For casual riders, that typically means a pair of motorcycle jeans. However, …
by Matthew Skwarczek
The vortex generators on a white 2018 Honda Civic Type R
Trends

Do Vortex Generators Actually Help Road Cars?

Car spoilers have a purpose besides being flashy accessories. Although they’re technically not wings, both they and spoilers use the air rushing around cars to reduce lift. However, they’re not the only aerodynamic aide available to road cars. Some models, like the Honda Civic Type R, are starting to feature vortex generators as well. But …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A low-angle shot of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R's wing
Trends

A Car Spoiler Is Not the Same Thing as a Wing

Spoilers, whether factory equipment or aftermarket accessories are usually visual shorthand for a performance-oriented car. Or at least a vehicle pretending to be one. Given their shape, car spoilers are understandably often referred to as wings. However, although these terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not synonymous. Wings don’t help cars fly—they help them not …
by Matthew Skwarczek
Nokian Tyres One all-season tire mounted on a silver wheel
Trends

Can Nokian’s New All-Season Tire Really Last for 80,000 Miles?

Regularly rotating and changing your car’s tires are important parts of your maintenance schedule. But even if you’re not buying the most expensive car tires, quality ones don’t come cheap. So, naturally, most people want to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth when it comes to longevity. Especially if they’re buying all-seasons, even though …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A Citroen with its fog lights on drives on a foggy British roadway
Trends

Do Fog Lights Really Help You See Through Fog?

Whether you plan on upgrading to LED headlights or sticking with halogens, your car’s lights are vital accessories.  But as bright as they’ve gotten in modern times, trying to drive through a foggy night can still leave you blinded. Given their name, you would expect fog lights to be the perfect solution. But do they …
by Matthew Skwarczek
The 2021 Genesis GV80's white-and-brown 2-spoke steering wheel
Trends

Why Don’t More Cars Have 2-Spoke Steering Wheels?

Until a truly self-driving vehicle finally appears, cars will continue to need steering wheels. But just because cars need steering wheels doesn’t mean they all need the same one. That’s part of the reason why aftermarket wheels are available in the first place. And yet, for all the variety in wheel design, only a handful …
by Matthew Skwarczek
A Dynojet motorcycle quickshifter
Motorcycles

Does Your Motorcycle Need a Quickshifter?

While the number of available automatic and no-shifting motorcycles is slowly growing, most bikes still use manual transmissions. That means not only learning how to operate a clutch but also how to shift gears smoothly and quickly. One way to speed up shifts on a car is to install a short shifter. And while a …
by Matthew Skwarczek
Setting up the 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo S's launch control system
Trends

What Does Launch Control Actually Do?

From more power to stickier tires to sportier and stiffer suspension, high-performance cars benefit from a variety of accessories, features, and tools. And nowadays, launch control is a common sight amongst such vehicles. Even a few motorcycles like the Ducati Panigale and Streetfighter offer it. But how does launch control benefit your car? And can …
by Matthew Skwarczek