Rides and Destinations: MOTO Coffee Machine

MOTO Coffee Machine, Hudson, New York

About 120 miles upriver from New York City, sits Hudson, New York, a small town of roughly 6,000, perched on the east bank of the Hudson River, surrounded by rolling countryside and backroads that seem purpose-built for motorcycles. It’s the kind of place where a quick coffee stop turns into an afternoon spent wandering the surrounding roads.

Hudson has been around since the 1600s. It was founded by Dutch settlers, and by 1790, it had grown into the fourth-largest city in New York State. It later found success as both a whale-oil hub and a factory town, thanks to easy rail and river access. These days, the industry is long gone, replaced by antique shops, boutiques, and artists. Some people call it the “Brooklyn of upstate New York,” though thankfully with fewer scooters and far better riding roads — and those roads are the real reason you’re here. The countryside around Hudson is a gift to motorcyclists. Smooth pavement and light traffic, combined with the beautiful scenery, will turn a “quick ride” into an all-day affair.

Right on Hudson’s main drag, Warren Street, sits MOTO Coffee Machine. You’ll know you’re in the right place the moment you see the Italian motorcycles displayed in the front window and scattered throughout the shop. As the name suggests, it’s a two-part operation: coffee and conversation up front, motorcycle gear and accessories in back.

MOTO Coffee Machine was founded in 2014 by Antony Katz, whose idea was to create a welcoming hub where riders could gather, trade stories, make friends, meet non-riders, and generally loiter without anyone asking them to move along. According to Antony, it’s been working out just fine.

Antony grew up in the U.K., where he worked as a motorcycle courier in the 1980s in London, before relocating to New York City in his mid-20s — though his mother was Italian, which may explain his affection for Ducatis and classic motorcycle culture. Eventually, he’d had enough urbanity and, seeking sanity, he escaped north and landed in Hudson — largely because of the riding.

Inside the shop, visitors can grab coffee or tea and light snacks before browsing an impressively curated selection of helmets, gloves, boots, jackets, and maintenance supplies. This is a rare brick-and-mortar operation that doesn’t rely on online sales. There is a website, but if you want to buy something, you’ll need to show up in person.

Asked about the shop’s role in the local riding scene, Antony didn’t hesitate. “On summer days we usually have several street rides starting here or passing through,” he said. “We’re also close to the Northeast Backcountry Discovery Route, so we get a lot of ADV riders stopping in to refuel themselves or pick up inner tubes. We’re often the first stop for riders who’ve just bought a brand-new bike and want to show it off, announce their arrival into the community, and pick up some accessories.”

Solo riders, he added, are a big part of the scene. “Often, they’ll make friends and leave together to ride. As a result, we’re responsible for a lot of disgruntled spouses left at home — and a lot of unmown lawns.”

Several classic motorcycles are on display throughout the shop, most owned by Antony, though he’ll occasionally sell a friend’s bike on consignment. Don’t come here looking for service work, though — this is a place to ride, talk, and caffeinate, not wrench.

And about those roads? Antony summed it up best. “It’s a fantastic area for riding. Endless smooth, curvy, picturesque backroads that unfold right in front of you. Very light traffic — pretty much just you, your crew, and your cornering limits. Just watch for the cops and the deer, and you’ll have an amazing time.”

Which, when you think about it, is all a good ride destination really needs.