Nope, not urban legend. I ride regularly with both a WR426 and a YZ. While sometimes they seem to start just fine, other trips they are a complete pain.
I'm refering to a number of things here.
a) The dang thing can break your leg if you kick it wrong.
b) Between the hot/cold start button, choke and decompression levers if you don't do it in the right order when hot (often) it can be a bear to start.
where, as my KDX, is alway a one kicker. I'd probably get used to it. But right now as I ride with these guys and watch them struggle at times I think, they aren't worth the hassles.
I'm fairly certain the KTM's and even the Honda aren't as bad. My fathers DR350 also starts with 1-2 kicks no matter what and he can't remember the last time he's used the decompression lever.
I'm also not reffering to the times when you drop it and flood it.
These IMHO are witnessed facks not legend :D