Mickey Cohen Shares His Thoughts on the Bassani Lifestyle

The Legacy of Bassani: The Birth of the Shorty

The legend of Bassani Exhaust lives on, and it all started with a breakthrough moment that changed the way Harley riders experience performance.

In 2017, Mickey Cohen recalls a day that would eventually lead to the iconic Bassani Shorty. A customer brought him a 107 engine upgraded to a 114 kit, paired with a cheap $200 exhaust from eBay. On the dyno, it was literally red-hot—burning his legs—but surprisingly, it delivered 122 horsepower. Mickey knew right away: this was something special.

Excited, he called Daryl Bassani, the founder of Bassani, to check it out. Bassani initially dismissed the basic setup as a “piece of junk,” but hours later, he returned with multiple custom exhaust systems. After testing them all, the simple, straightforward design of the original pipe proved to be the most powerful. “That’s how the shorty was born,” Mickey says.

For over 40 years, Daryl Bassani built pipes that set the standard for performance and innovation—from Mickey’s KZ650 to his 900 Ninja. Today, Lifestyle Cycles is proud to honor the legacy of Bassani while expanding the brand and its offerings for Harley riders everywhere.

From classic designs to the latest innovations, Bassani Exhaust Harley systems continue to deliver the unmistakable tone, power, and craftsmanship that riders demand. Experience the legacy and the performance for yourself—your Harley deserves nothing less.

Lifestyle Cycles is honored to help continue the Bassani lifestyle. Find your new Bassani exhaust here.