is it usual for the kick start to all ways hit the foot peg.

Yep 'Tis the way it was designed, don't worry 'bout it.

GJ

that's weird it doesn't seem to do with mine

Only after I screwed my right foot up and was starting the bike with my left leg did I discover that the engine actually fires faster and without the WHACK on the footpeg if you get the kicker engaging at the very top of the stroke and kick the bike with a real quick jab instead of the usual jump and followthru method. Try it and see.