TOPIC:

Good day folks. Given equal condition, is there any compelling reason to choose one of these 1100s over the other? I am assuming there are no great technical differences between the models that would favour either machine.  There is one of each currently available near me and I have been hankering for a classic kiter bike for awhile now. I am somewhat Spectre biased.

If it were us, we'd choose the Spectre.  Mostly because of the shaft & slightly more forward-leaning seating position offered by the flatter bars compared to LTD buckhorns.
 
Our Ridin' tends toward higher mileage touring these days.  100 ~ 150 miles one way for lunch, 800 miles round-trip to a weekend event plus Ridin' while there type of stuff.  Rain is a fact of Ridin' life and, a few hundred miles of wet Ridin' is hard on chains.

OP & slmjim aren't too far apart in age.  slmjim's had two lower spine surgeries over the last 30 yrs.  The sit up & beg seasting position of cruiser-type bars enforces a slouched riding position that results in far too much weight on the lower back, especially if no windshield is present.  For slmjim, some forward lean, some weight on the wrists is far more comfortable, whether a windshield is present or not.

We're not familiar enough re: the finer technicalities of Spectres to offer a meaningful opinion vs the LTD.

We've been lusting after a touring-dress Spectre for a while...

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Cross posted from OP's intro.

The difference isn't much, beyond the shaft vs. chain drive. If you ride in the rain like myself, I'd suggest the Spectre, since no worries about the chain. If you'd rather be able to adjust gearing, the LTD. Changing handlebars is only about an hour job with a couple holes to drill.

The LTD may be more valuable in time, if that's something that you care about, there's a little less love for shaft drive KZs overall. I like mine. 

The Ltd could be an Ltd Shaft.