Justin Hughes
@justinhughes54.com
A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a nerdy writer, editor, motorcycle rider, ham radio geek, former van lifer, and current all-around weirdo. Writer at Jalopnik, ADVRider, and elsewhere. a.k.a. Smokey Da Van, Knerd Rider.
Pinned
Justin Hughes
@justinhughes54.com
· Apr 24
Justin Hughes
I drive stuff, ride stuff, and write stuff.
justinhughes54.com
I need to do more to promote myself as a writer. So I’m turning the dormant blog on my professional website into an email newsletter as well as a blog. #writersky #authors #writers #writercommunity
"I swear, if my car ever starts blaring Gas Station TV at me, I will light it on fire and walk away without looking at it, because cool guys don't look at explosions."
Pop-Up Ads Are Appearing On Stellantis Infotainment Screens Again - Jalopnik
How would you feel if you started your car, and a sales promotion appeared on the screen offering a discount on a new car?
www.jalopnik.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"I swear, if my car ever starts blaring Gas Station TV at me, I will light it on fire and walk away without looking at it, because cool guys don't look at explosions."
The law is a great idea for consumers, but it has loopholes big enough to drive a Cybertruck through.
New York Wants To Make Annoying Car Subscriptions A Thing Of The Past - Jalopnik
Most drivers don't want subscription-based options in their cars.
www.jalopnik.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The law is a great idea for consumers, but it has loopholes big enough to drive a Cybertruck through.
The whole situation reminds me of a messy divorce.
Volvo Ends Relationship With Luminar, Drops Lidar For 2026 Models - Jalopnik
The technology itself is not the reason for the dispute.
www.jalopnik.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The whole situation reminds me of a messy divorce.
BREAKING NEWS: Women exist, and they drive and ride in cars.
DOT Finally Realizes Women Exist, Authorizes Female Crash Test Dummies - Jalopnik
Women have been driving since Bertha Benz took one of Karl's contraptions without his permission on the first real drive of more than 60 miles back in 1888.
www.jalopnik.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Women exist, and they drive and ride in cars.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
This is not a great example of firearm safety, and law enforcement should be setting the example.
Des Moines Police Drives Off With A Rifle On The Roof - Jalopnik
A citizen took it upon herself to stop a Des Moines police officer after spotting a rifle on the roof of his cruiser.
www.jalopnik.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This is not a great example of firearm safety, and law enforcement should be setting the example.
Orange road stripes look weird, and that's exactly the point. California's test (and a few others) show they stand out more than the typical yellow and white lines, which is perfect for marking construction zones and reminding drivers that they are in one.
California's Orange Highway Stripes Have A Purpose – And It's Actually Working - Jalopnik
Despite many drivers not understanding what the non-standard orange lines mean, they still realized it was something unusual and slowed down.
www.jalopnik.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Orange road stripes look weird, and that's exactly the point. California's test (and a few others) show they stand out more than the typical yellow and white lines, which is perfect for marking construction zones and reminding drivers that they are in one.
According to the new baby scale, this chonker weighs 14 pounds!
November 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
According to the new baby scale, this chonker weighs 14 pounds!
The term "e-bike" has no legal definition, and some manufacturers are getting away with selling electric motorcycles that can go 65 mph as consumer products rather than motor vehicles.
Parents Are Accidentally Buying Their Kids Electric Motorcycles Instead Of E-Bikes - Jalopnik
Do your research, make sure the power and top speed are limited to the class you desire, and buy one that will be fun, safe, and legal.
www.jalopnik.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The term "e-bike" has no legal definition, and some manufacturers are getting away with selling electric motorcycles that can go 65 mph as consumer products rather than motor vehicles.
A V8 swap up front turning the back tires into smoke… This is a proper muscle car. I don’t care if it’s a Chevy Sonic.
This V8-Swapped Chevy Sonic Is The Ultimate Expression Of Asking 'Why Not?' - Jalopnik
You wouldn't know it from looking at the outside, which looks entirely stock. It even has the original wheels.
www.jalopnik.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
A V8 swap up front turning the back tires into smoke… This is a proper muscle car. I don’t care if it’s a Chevy Sonic.
Jeep hybrids just can't catch a break. But non-hybrids use the same turbo 2.0L 4-cyl engine, and those aren't included in the recall... 🤔
Jeep Recalls Hybrids Again Because Sand In The Engine Is Bad - Jalopnik
It seems that Jeep hybrids can't catch a break lately.
www.jalopnik.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Jeep hybrids just can't catch a break. But non-hybrids use the same turbo 2.0L 4-cyl engine, and those aren't included in the recall... 🤔
I had fun researching and writing this one. I'm a fan of alternative history, and it's fun to think of a reality with Ford Excapes parked on every street corner.
Ford's Compact SUV Was Almost Called The Excape - Jalopnik
Things have certainly changed in the past 25 years.
www.jalopnik.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I had fun researching and writing this one. I'm a fan of alternative history, and it's fun to think of a reality with Ford Excapes parked on every street corner.
What's GM's excuse for taking away Apple CarPlay now?
Tesla Is So Desperate To Increase Sales It's Adding Apple CarPlay - Jalopnik
Tesla's implementation of CarPlay would run in its own window within Tesla's broader interface, rather than replacing the entire system .
www.jalopnik.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
What's GM's excuse for taking away Apple CarPlay now?
I'm really looking forward to this one. I'd like something a bit more dirt-oriented than my V-Strom 650, but less dirt-dedicated than my wife's KLR650S. This seems to fit the bill.
Kawasaki Revives The KLE500 – And This Time, US Riders Get A Shot - Jalopnik
The revived KLE500 is an all-new design, and will be coming to the States as well as the rest of the world.
www.jalopnik.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I'm really looking forward to this one. I'd like something a bit more dirt-oriented than my V-Strom 650, but less dirt-dedicated than my wife's KLR650S. This seems to fit the bill.
No bracket? No problem. I’m imagining hordes of Idaho auto enthusiasts removing their front license plate brackets as quickly as possible to comply with the new law.
Idaho No Longer Requires A Front Plate If You Don't Have A Bracket - Jalopnik
Naturally, the police don't like this, because it makes both manual and automatic tracking more difficult.
www.jalopnik.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:46 AM
No bracket? No problem. I’m imagining hordes of Idaho auto enthusiasts removing their front license plate brackets as quickly as possible to comply with the new law.
I just read an article about AI that, at the end, revealed itself to have been written by AI. Ouroboros, anyone?
November 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I just read an article about AI that, at the end, revealed itself to have been written by AI. Ouroboros, anyone?
Reposted by Justin Hughes
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One"
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One"
Remember how well Tesla rentals worked out for Hertz? Oh, wait, it didn't.
Tesla Is Now Renting Cars From Its Showrooms As Sales Keep Crashing - Jalopnik
For now, the short-term rentals are limited to San Diego and Costa Mesa, California.
www.jalopnik.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Remember how well Tesla rentals worked out for Hertz? Oh, wait, it didn't.
It's getting harder to find a place to race these days as more and more tracks shut down.
This Historic Alabama Drag Strip Is Shutting Down After Nearly Half A Century Of Racing - Jalopnik
The Atmore DragStrip, located in Atmore, Alabama, is closing down at the end of the 2025 season after nearly 50 years of hosting racing events.
www.jalopnik.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM
It's getting harder to find a place to race these days as more and more tracks shut down.
Further proof that it’s perfectly okay to break the law as long as the President agrees with you.
Trump Pardons Diesel Tuner Convicted Of Violating The Clean Air Act - Jalopnik
Troy Lake served seven months in prison for disabling emission control devices in at least 344 heavy-duty commercial trucks.
www.jalopnik.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Further proof that it’s perfectly okay to break the law as long as the President agrees with you.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
I get paid enough to survive but not enough to live. I want to live.
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I get paid enough to survive but not enough to live. I want to live.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
When did standards change that this got replaced by this
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
When did standards change that this got replaced by this
Here's another one about the Trans America Trail on Google Street View. This time it's from the motorcyclist's point of view for ADVRider. #motosky
You Can Now Visit The Trans America Trail On Google Street View - Adventure Rider
Ford put a Google Street View camera on top of a Bronco and mapped the Trans America Trail, enabling anyone to view its wonders.
www.advrider.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here's another one about the Trans America Trail on Google Street View. This time it's from the motorcyclist's point of view for ADVRider. #motosky