V 50 III

1981 Moto Guzzi V 50 III Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Moto Guzzi's sport touring motorcycle lineup, the 1981 Moto Guzzi V 50 III relies on a 490 cc (29.9 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 49 HP (35.8 kW) at 7,600 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 100 HP per liter, the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the V 50 III measures 182 kg (401 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.27 HP/kg (3.71 kg per horsepower). The 16-liter (4.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 162 km/h (101 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Moto Guzzi archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1981 to 1983, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.