Upgrade: Wish List 2007

Winter is a harsh mistress, unleashing cold snaps, ice storms—and a happy, brief blizzard of holiday products. Here's our guide to the best gear to give, get or simply pine for this year, in categories ranging from high-tech foul-weather clothing to a high-def home theater setup for chilling out inside.

By Erik Sofge
Photos by Michael Heiko

Published in the December 2006 issue.

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Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak $11,000 /// Chances are, you won't be finding the Mean Streak wrapped, ribboned and waiting for you under the tree this year. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve this diabolically styled liquid-cooled power cruiser. It's built for long hauls, with a fuel-injected 1552cc V-twin engine that's rubber-mounted to reduce vibration. Kawasaki also loaded the Mean Streak with high-revving sportbike components, such as inverted forks for precision steering and four-piston calipers up front for better braking feedback. kawasaki.com

Tools

Click to enlarge Milwaukee Rotating-Handle Orbital Super Sawzall $210 /// It's hard to go back to a regular reciprocating saw after trying this 13-amp model. The rotating handle lets you make diagonal, sideways or multi-position cuts without torquing your wrist. milwaukeetool.com

Click to enlarge Hitachi DB3DL 3.6-Volt Cordless Screwdriver $79 /// The convertible handle (for a straight or pistol grip) is useful, but features such as 21 clutch settings for drilling and a spindle lock for manual tightening make this tool indispensable. hitachipowertools.com

Click to enlarge GearWrench XL X-Beam 12-piece set $169 /// The ratcheting box end of these innovative wrenches is forged at a 90-degree angle to the open end, providing a more secure grip than with a flat wrench. gearwrench.com

Stocking Stuffer

Click to enlarge Boker Whittler's Penknife $70 /// This well-crafted folding penknife could make a whittler out of anyone, thanks to a gently curving handle designed for precise control, despite its small size (3-5/8 in. long). It has four blades, from a general-use pen blade to a whittler's coping blade. bokerusa.com

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