Think I need to get some leathers. Textiles are fine for town, but really now most of my biking is on country roads and dual carriageways so I think abrasion protection is needed really. I've also got a bit of a hankering to do a novice track day at some point.

I've seen these:

Spada Predator
Jacket: http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/spada-p...
Trousers: http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/spada-p...

and

RST Slice
Jacket: http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/rst-sli...
Trousers: http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/rst-sli...

Any comments/experience on which are better? RSTs seem a bit cheaper and have removable lining in the jacket. Spadas are more expensive but seem to have thicker leather (presumably better?)

Any other suggestions at similar price?

Or am I on the wrong track completely and buying cheap-ish leathers is pointless as they'll fall apart/are no better than textiles etc etc?

Stick to textiles on the road. More practical, more weatherproof, and don't look completely ridiculous.

Don't worry, style doesn't really come into it when I'm riding If I was in leathers and it looked like it might rain, I'd be putting on one of those all in one waterproof things

My advice would be get a set off ebay. You'll save a fortune.

2 piece are fine for trackdays, so long as they zip together.

Can someone tell me why you'd choose a 2 piece to a 1 piece?

IIRC don't 2 piece have to be attached to be put on? Esp if you have a stiff back protector... you'd feel more safe in a 1 piece too.

So I'm just wondering what benefits a 2 piece has? Easier to take a piss in?

For me it's that you can choose to just wear the jacket and a pair of kevlars if you're nipping across town/down the road to your mum's etc. - also if you're going somewhere on the bike and don't want to march about in leathers all day then you can pack some trainers and be reasonably normally dressed at your destination

And worth remembering that the zips have to 1. go all the way around and b. be attached to the leather, and not the lining

I have no idea about Spada quality but I have RST 2 piece that is now a good 5-6 years old.
The main material is fine but last year I had to have the jacket zip re-sewn into it & the fold-over leather strap thing on the trousers waistband came out of the waistband & had to be re-stitched in.

Mind you- those all could be related to an apparently expanding physique ??

I have the RST tractech two piece leathers and they seem really nice, that also have the back protector in them which is a bonus. Is you get the trousers make sure you the the slide in hip protectors too, for £10 off ebay its a no brainier.

I have the Slice textile jacket, also has the back protector, but is does let more close air in the front that the jacket. The only RST textile trousers which have the adjustable knee protection is the pro seriers preditor, but they seem great too.

The RST jacket are slightly larger across the chest than some of the other brands, so if you have broad shoulders its good.

Mr F

I have the RST tractech two piece leathers and they seem really nice, that also have the back protector in them which is a bonus. Is you get the trousers make sure you the the slide in hip protectors too, for £10 off ebay its a no brainier.

I have the Slice textile jacket, also has the back protector, but is does let more close air in the front that the jacket. The only RST textile trousers which have the adjustable knee protection is the pro seriers preditor, but they seem great too.

The RST jacket are slightly larger across the chest than some of the other brands, so if you have broad shoulders its good.

Mr F