Power: The ‘86 KTM 250 engine came with a device known as Digital Control Ignition or DCI. The apparatus allowed the KTM’s engine and spark timing correlate through the entire engine power range. The power the engine delivered was powerful and smooth from the lowest to the highest RPM. 

Suspension: The front and rear suspension was on the harsh side. It took some fiddling to get the suspension set up for individual rider tastes. Other than this, the suspension was competent, at race speeds. Do not expect trail riding plushness. 

Handling: The KTM turned fairly well, but not as crisply as previous models. The bike was stable at speed.

Reliability: The KTM was very reliable. Many riders raced the whole season and never had to replace the piston and rings. The bikes two big weak points were the clutch and shifting. The clutch was truly an on/off toggle switch affair and the tranny shifting was notchy. 

Odds & Ends: The KTM came with front and rear disc brakes that became mushy feeling when a person tipped the bike over. After the bike was tipped over, the brakes needed to be bled. It was a pain. The braking power was average. If a person has the time, money, and/or patience, the suspension can be made very suitable. This machine will make a decent trail/play bike, after some suspension work.