I've not heard of many sleds running under the stock setting unless bigger pilots have been put in. By setting them less turns open you've reduced the amount of fuel in the idle circuit, thus creating the hanging idle because of lean condition. As far as starting easier, the choke gives it more fuel to help it start when cold, reducing the amount of fuel will make it start harder (although the choke should cover this while it is on). Also risky in creating a lean condition when running at zero to quarter throttle. Perhaps it was set a little too lean before and needs to be opened a little more? Stein says he has to run his at 1-3/4. My Viper is cold blooded too, just need to let it warm up before really getting on it. Plus, running them very hard when cold can cause a cold seize, seen that more than once. I always cringe when I see people pull the cord and then take off at full throttle. I let mine idle for about three/four minutes when were about ready to take off, and then run it easy the first couple of miles while blipping the throttle to let it warm up good before jumping off the trail into the powder and running it hard. I know, it's hard to have the patience to wait before letting it rip, especially on the first ride of the season.
What kind of hard starting are you talking about? How many pulls to fire it up? Perhaps you have some kind of choke problem causing this, such as cable is set too loose so it doesn't open all the way on double choke, etc...