Odd but serious question....

[houndguy]

When should you consider getting new gear?   

I'm not talking about gear for gear sake...but the time and place where your helmet, jacket, etc has just worn out.   With gloves it's easy to know.  Helmets and jackets...not so much.

[2wheelfun]

With helmets never unless your tired of it or it takes a serious hit. You can buy replacement liners for them. Coats, if they get too small or wear out and start falling apart. I'm not rich enough to be buying 2 or 3 coats to have at once. I took my time and spent $150 on a his-vis armored jacket and expect it to last for a looong time. Helmets I do have 2 though, 3/4 and a full face. I like having a choice of which to wear. Only thing I want now is a set of good riding gloves. Pair I have now are like mechanics gloves and don't offer enough knuckle protection. I wear high ankle hiking boots for the feets. For me that's as good as it gets for now.

[ScooterWolf]

For helmets, I've heard every five years. My first one was on my security hook on my parked scooter and was caught in the rain. Lining got moldy and my wife couldn't stand the smell of it, plus my visor gearing was way too lose. My Second I replaced after my crash. 3 years is the longest I've had one.

This may help:

http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aWhyReplace

I'd say a jacket is based on the manufacture's recommendation, though I've never heard of any expiration period for one. I'm more concerned about washing instructions on mine as there doesn't seem to be any.

-Wolf

[2wheelfun]

I dunno Bubba, that 5 year replacement recommendation might be a marketing ploy to sell more helmets. I smell a rat.