Yeah I kind of shudder when I think back to what I wore to ride in the 70's - a vinyl jacket, jeans, snowmobile gloves, a Bell helmet that was too old and too big and some Sidi race boots that were a little too small.
There's so much gear for sale out there that one can get some killer deals with the application of some patience and a willingness to clean up used gear. I think I have about $2K worth of gear that I paid about $500 for.