Introduced in 1981, this was the third major evolution of Moto Guzzi’s original Le Mans sports line. It followed the first Le Mans and the earlier update of the series, but it was not just a cosmetic refresh: the third version brought a noticeably revised look, with cleaner, more modern bodywork and a fairing treatment that later became one of the model’s defining visual signatures. Moto Guzzi also updated the machine’s mechanical package and chassis character to keep the Le Mans competitive as performance-oriented road bikes evolved in the early 1980s.
The model occupied the top sporting end of Moto Guzzi’s range and was aimed at riders who wanted a fast, distinctive Italian twin with long-distance ability as well as a strong enthusiast image. It retained the classic transverse V-twin layout that had become central to the brand’s identity, while presenting a more refined and contemporary interpretation of the formula than the earlier Le Mans versions. That balance of everyday road usability, unmistakable styling, and charismatic mechanical character helped make the third-series bike one of the most admired Guzzis of its era.
Production continued into the middle of the decade, after which the Le Mans name moved on to the 1000-based successor. As a result, this version is remembered as the final 850cc Le Mans generation and as the bridge between the original 1970s icon and the later, larger-displacement Le Mans models. Among enthusiasts, it is often regarded as one of the most desirable examples of Moto Guzzi’s classic air-cooled sporting twins.