Is my gear too OLD?!

I'm into road riding only (apart from if there is some gravel to traverse).

I rode a lot until about 22 years ago when my wife had our first baby and I didn't have to commute so much and I wanted to stop club rides.

I got back into motorcycling about three years ago. I took my boots out of the wardrobe and the plastic at the front (ADV style) started to fall off in chunks so I thought I'd need to replace them - they looked terrible. Last year I bought some new ADV (max. protection) boots.

My wife got me some gloves for a gift. They're padded but pretty basic but comfortable and gauntlet style which I prefer. I should upgrade them to 'safer' ones.

Pants - I had some padded leather ones for years and they were ok but a friend got me some padded Kevlar ones from a car boot sale for $30 and gave them to me.

Helmet - I got back into using my old helmet that had sat in the garage for about the last 25 or so years. It fits me well, I've not dropped it (it has been dropped a couple of times since) etc. The main thing I like about it is that it's Bright Yellow!! Such a safe colour. There are very few that colour here and they're very expensive - $450 min and $1300 max. I asked a signwriter / decal maker about a wrap on another colour helmet and he quoted me much more than I wanted to pay. There is a nice yellow one on ebay for about $280 NZ but I don't know the brand.

Back protector - I've long used a full race style one with wide velcro kidney wrap which is supportive on long rides.

Jacket - my great Spidi one I paid $950 (top of the line then) in 97 or 98. It's still good apart from I had to re glue a shoulder pad back together. The only trouble is it leaks like a sieve but I can put a water proofer over it.

I'm thinking I should maybe start replacing stuff but I'm loathe to spend money and what I have works together well.

What do you think?

Posted May 28, 2026, 10:47 AM UTC

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