1987Moto Guzzi California III CI
28 fields on record
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI is an Italian cruiser. It uses a 949cc air-cooled four-stroke V-twin making 65 hp and 79.4 Nm, driving through a 5-speed gearbox. It weighs 270 kg dry and has a 25-litre tank and an 800 mm seat.
- Capacity
- 948.8 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Dry weight
- 270.0 kg
- Seat height
- 800 mm
- Power
- 65.0 HP (47.4 kW) @ 6700 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Cruiser built for its class - everyday, practical use.
- Built for
- A cruiser from Moto Guzzi, built around a 949cc engine - a real production model, but this profile is formula-generated from its class and spec sheet rather than individually reviewed.
- Not ideal for
- Not for serious performance or off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →The Moto Guzzi California III CI passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 84.8% of the time, 2.6 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 59% of models.
Bikes first registered in 1987 have 41 tests, too few for their own score, so this covers every year.
All years of this model.
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Standard | 81 Excellent | 155 |
| 2 | Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Hugger | 81 Excellent | 155 |
| 3 | Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 De Luxe | 81 Excellent | 155 |
| 4 | Moto Guzzi California III CI | 59 Average | 486 |
| 5 | Yamaha XV 1000 Virago | 41 Average | 789 |
| 6 | Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster | 35 Below average | 1,186 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 948.8 ccm
- Power
- 65.0 HP (47.4 kW) @ 6700 RPM
- Torque
- 79.4 Nm (8.1 kgf-m) @ 3200 RPM
- Engine type
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2407 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 88.0 x 78.0 mm
- Compression
- 9.2:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
Performance
- Top speed
- 164.0 km/h (101.9 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1550 mm
- Overall length
- 2330 mm
- Seat height
- 800 mm
- Dry weight
- 270.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 25.00 litres
Chassis & suspension
- Front suspension
- Telescopic
- Rear suspension
- Dual Koni shocks 5-way preload
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers
- Front brakes diameter
- 300 mm
- Rear brakes
- Single 275mm disc 2 piston caliper
- Rear brakes diameter
- 275 mm
- Front tyre
- 110/90 V18
- Rear tyre
- 120/90 V18
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 949 cc | 949 cc | 949 cc |
| Dry weight | 270 kg | 270 kg | 270 kg |
| Seat height | 800 mm | 800 mm | 800 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 25 L | 25 L | 25 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | Too few tests | 59 Average | 62 Good |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Moto Guzzi California III CI?
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI has a Capacity of 948.8 ccm (57.90 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Moto Guzzi California III CI have?
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI has a Power of 65.0 HP (47.4 kW) @ 6700 RPM.
How many gears does the Moto Guzzi California III CI have?
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
What is the torque of the Moto Guzzi California III CI?
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI has a Torque of 79.4 Nm (8.1 kgf-m or 58.6 ft.lbs) @ 3200 RPM.
How much does the Moto Guzzi California III CI weigh?
The 1987 Moto Guzzi California III CI has a Dry weight of 270.0 kg (595.2 pounds).
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