top 10 most expensive scooters

1. Vespa 90SS

Few machines command one's attention like a factory spec racer. Vespa's best run at this model was no exception. Playing off the popularity of their 50cc scooters, Vespa introduced the 90SS in 1965. Its main features included the narrower front-end and handlebars, a chromed special exhaust, and the distinctive glove box located where a motorcycle's gas tank usually sits.
The 90SS pretty much has to top the list for its combination of two outstanding factors: availability and desirability. The 90SS is, without a doubt, one of the hardest of all scooters to come across in the US. In the last ten years I've seen more handlebar and pre-50's bikes come round than one of these scooters. In fact, I have only ever seen one in person. This level of rarity coupled with everyone's love of Vespa's speedier machines, (and, I suspect, that glove box) has catapulted the 90SS's values into the stratosphere of $7k+.
The only exception to this rule would have to be in New Zealand. Apparently, Vespa imported more 90SS's into New Zealand than anywhere else in the world. The smallish island nation is rife with them compared to the rest of the world. Go figure.

2. Lambretta A Model

Sweet, sweet deco! Does any scooter in the world possess a more rad front legshield? My vote says no! Resembling the best in skyscraping scoot-style, the Lambretta Model A is a dream come true. Watch the ride, though, as it's a pretty rigid scooter. Available in pea green, the model A kick-started Lambretta's foray into scooters (check the distinctive bent pipe frame on all Lambrettas... they were in the plumbing biz before scooters!). As progenitors, they are priced accordingly.
Occasionally you will see this scooter in the states. Most have to come from Italy directly (or sometimes Argentina)and the cost of importing doesn't help their bottom line. The engines being a bit tricky, and the tin work will set you back. And, in case you are new to the scene, this is the style of bike ridden by Matt Damon's character in "The Talented Mr. Ripley".

3. Pre-1950s Vespas

Again, being the first scooters 'round has played havoc with their pricing. Rarely available in the USA, the number of pre-50's scooters in the USA can be counted on one person's hands. According to Victor Voris, scooters from Italy weren't very pricey up until a few years ago, and then they skyrocketed, approximately coinciding with the re-introduction of the Vespa into the US.
There are several distinguishing factors to help tell these early scooters apart from other handlebar scooters: side seams, aluminum cowling, hand-screwed nose-cowls, and a lower level of general consistency in the production work will help you identify them. Their main characteristic, however, is generally the chrome control rods in place of cables.
If one wants to get picky, there is a holy triumvirate of pre-50's scooters: the 1946 first run, the 1948-9 "U" for utility bike, and the "Il Paperino" prototype. Values on these are purely speculative, but for the lowliest pre-50's scooter I'd expect to pay $3500 USD and up.

4. Vespa GS VS1-4

The GS! Everyone loves a GS, and the earlier GS's command some value. Early scooters (introduced in 1960) ran the old style shifting assembly with distinctive swept-back cables, but still bore the extra large, curvaceous frames and sweet style that would make the GS so popular. Unrestored scooters can hit $2500 USD.

5. Lambretta GP200

Funny that the most valuable Lambrettas are the oldest and then the most recent. GP 200's are akin to Vespa's Rally 200 in that they represented a high-performance machine designed for speed, handling, and killer looks (provided by the Bertone styling group). Also to note are the square headlight, shorter forks, modified bodywork, and disc brakes. There is even an electronic ignition on a few models to boot!
Innocenti imported very few of these to the US, so most of what you will see will be from India. Italian production ceased in '71, and Indian in '97. Italian bikes are reputed to be of a higher quality in the metal work, and Indian bikes generally require extensive motor work.
Prices will vary, but I've seen the newer bikes go for as much as $4500 USD.

6. Lambretta TV200

A very collectible, classic Italian Lambretta. One of the first 200's available, the TV engenders love at first sight with its smart lines and crazy Mod style. Fairly rare in the US, it mainly went to England where the scooter performance scene was really heating up.
Innocenti created this scooter it to take out the GS's, and it basically did. More horsepower made for a faster top-end speed, which made the TV top dog in its day.

7. Vespa GS160

The last in line, and, some say, the best of the breed - the GS 160 was an early king in England's influential Mod scene, until the raw horsepower of the TV200 pushed it aside in the early 60's.
The redesigned 160 had an updated body design, a larger engine, different trim, rims, and glove boxes. Absolutely perfect in almost every way, the 160 is big, curvy, stylized, and very fast, which always seems to be a hit with the kids. Hey, if it was good enough for Roger Daltrey...

8. Lambretta SX200

Much like the TV 200, this scooter is sleek and fast, and fortunately for us, came to the US in larger quantities than the TV. This bike just rules.
Increased power, reliability, and handling make this bike a valid daily driver, even in the new millenium. Scooterists covet them for their collectibility, coupled with their drivability. Pricing is all over the map as many of the bikes can be had from Europe for fairly reasonable prices (kind of like finding American muscle cars in pretty good condition here in the States).
Take care to note the raddest side cowls ever produced by Lambretta: the chrome arrows typify speed, grace, and style. Tres, tres Mod.

9. Vespa SS180

This is sort of a transitional scooter for Vespa. This series led the march from GS to Rally, and sported a redesigned body. It's slimmer, more angular, and pretty much looks like a Rally. This bike also rocked that trapezoidal headlight meant to convince fans of the faster Lambrettas that it could keep up.
Basically a rarer Rally 200, or, a Rally for the collectibility freak. Neat bikes, but not much to recommend them over a Rally 200 excepting the "older and more rare bike" factor. Similar price range as Rallys.

10. Handlebar Model Vespa

The poor man's rod model. Cool old look that came to this country in droves. Good numbers of these things kick it in barns and backyards across the states, and at this point it is largely a factor of age and poor care that has made them a rarity.
These are the early scooters, and, as such, sport several features of dubious quality: 8" wheels, piston induction,and no front dampers on the Sears/Allstate models, which are the most numerous by far. Rideability is very limited at this point, and you are best off sticking to rallies, shows, and side streets. They do break down pretty frequently, mostly due to age or poor restorations, but they do command pretty high prices, for age and collectibility alone. The neato ones from Europe have lights mounted on the front cowl, and the occasional Brit bike has one mounted on the apron.

Author : Mike Wolfson
Source : bigpeoplescooters.com