File:Motobi Moped (1965).jpg

English: Cheshire Steam Fair 14/07/2012.

Motobi is not a well known marque in the UK. It has its routes in the Benelli motocycle company based in Pesaro, Italy, which in 1948 was run by the 6 Benelli brothers. Motorcycle manufacture had been stopped during the war years when Allied bombing of Pésaro damaged the factory. Immediately after the war Benelli needed to restart manufacturing. Five of the brothers wanted to start producing the pre-war models, whereas Giuseppe Benelli saw this as an opportunity to design an all-new machine. After this disagreement Giuseppe left the Benelli company and started his own company in Pesaro, initially trading under the name Moto 'B' Pesaro. A few years later this was shortened to Motobi Pesaro, or just 'Motobi'.

Motobi initially offered a range of 2-stroke engined bikes, characterised by pressed steel frames and egg-shaped engines. This format was continued in 1955 when Motobi introduced their first 4-strokes, the 125cc and 175cc Catria badged bikes.

Guiseppe Benelli passed away in 1957, leaving sons Luigi and Marco to inherit the factory and continue production. However, this also opened the door to merging Motobi back into the Benelli family business in 1962 as Gruppo Benelli-Motobi. Initially, established products continued the Motobi identity, but the progressive addition of badged Benelli models would gradually begin to erode the marque's individuality.

In 1964 Motobi introuced a new range of light-weight machines to the UK market. Included was a single speed automatic moped and a 3-speed moped. The moped motors were given as 40mm bore × 39mm stroke, capacity 48cc at 6:1 compression, for 2.5hp output @ 6,500rpm. The mopeds had a pressed steel frame and optional pressed steel leg shields. In the UK the mopeds were not a success and were withdrawn from the market after a few years due to poor sales.