The KZ LTD's were great all-around bikes. No, they didn't handle as-well as a standard, but they were reliable, and being the ubiquitous Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM) they were plentiful and easy to maintain. There was a reason the LTD's outsold the standards and the sportbike versions of the same engines. I owned 550, 750, and 1000 cc versions of the LTD's. Each had its special qualities.
The 550 was easy to park in an urban setting, maneuverable in city traffic, and with the camming it had, there was a decent surge if you wrung it out. Smaller, relatively lightweight, and able to stay ahead of traffic on the expressway if necessary, the 550 was a great urban runabout.
The 750 was better-suited to carry a passenger, due to its greater power and larger seating area. It also had a good mid-range and top end urge, and was more-capable if you got on the expressway.
A KZ1000 will always be one of my favorite bikes, and I think the LTD gives a good account of itself in this guise. Reliable, loaded with sufficient power and torque to do anything you want, the 1000 LTD earned respect for its strong engine and comfortable ergonomics. Cross-country? No issue to do that. Take the backroads, what William Least Heat Moon called the 'blue highways.'
The Kawasaki Spectre and the Yamaha Midnight Editions filled the same niche. LTD or (Yamaha) Special-based, they used gold trim and black paint to set themselves apart from the more-plain versions. Some riders thought the gold trim was the motorcycling equivalent of a "Mr. T starter-kit," but for the rider willing to spend the extra-cost for one, it was exclusive, flashy, and easy to maintain. Think of the U.K. John Player Specials, with their glossy black paintjobs and gold striping. From Nortons to F1 cars, the JPS vehicles were distinctive and easy to recognize.
A stripped-down KZ1300 in black with a JPS gold striping would be a distinctive ride.