I have a 98'HuskyWr"250" and even though the compression is less, the same basic problem exists with the kickstarter. It is set up higher and more forward than the typical jap-bikes, but mine regularly starts on the third kick when cold, and first when warm. You didn't mention whether or not your bike started...just that you didn't like the kickstarter.
My last 430 husky(left-hand kickstart)was a beast to start, but once I got used to throwing my 200lb. body three feet in the air and slamming down like I had a couple, it wasn't a problem. Listen, Huskies are not for the faint of heart. I can best describe it by quoting one of my riding buddies who asked to ride my Husky on a particularly nasty trail(All my buds ride jap-bikes)..."Wow, now this is a dirtbike!":)
Aloooha!
TrailTramp
98'Husky
87'Husky
74'Husky