About the fork seals. My bike I ride reguarly has nearly 70000km on the original seals and not even a weep.
The other one I have had for 2 years (2005 model) are stuffed at 23000.
One sat for a long time and the seals naturally dry out somewhat and one is used, that says a lot.
Also, I spray a little wd40 or crc on legs occasionally and wipe over, I think this helps.
Thirdly, some wash their bikes with pressure spray then leave. Not just a dry clean leg but one with no lube on it. Even that left by the action of the slider.
I also have suspicions about people washing with high pressure and using a wax cycle as well.
So, leg is washed clean then coated with a wax which dries and then the poor old seal has to slide over that as well and probably scrape the wax off.
