I always do the double pump of the throttle on mine too help alot when starting cold. I have the same year and it was a pain to start when I first got it cause I didnt know the proper technique of starting a ktm thumper.
I don't have any special tricks for starting when its hot. Mine starts on first or second kick without pushing hot start lever and without opening throttle when its hot. But every time after crash I use hot start lever and I have to kick it more times as usual before its start.
I do it because 4 strokes with carburetors have acceleration pump. So every time when my engine is cold I pull the full throttle few times before start and then I start on idle RPM. :)
I always do the double pump of the throttle on mine too help alot when starting cold. I have the same year and it was a pain to start when I first got it cause I didnt know the proper technique of starting a ktm thumper.