My X obviously has no gaiters, but the seals have been replaced twice on the left leg & 3 times on the right leg, & mileage is only 10.5k!!!!!!! Dealer has replaced under warranty each time. I don't ride off road, but do ride all year. Either bike was made on a Friday, or somehow muck has got in - it remains totally unclear as to the cause. I keep things very clean & hardly ride in the wet....
So, I for one would go the other way, & INCREASE the protection: removing the gaiters doesn't sound like a wise move.....