I've had 2 Evo 1400s for over a year. I do not use a wavemaker. They almost always start up in reverse (at least 90% of the time). I use a plunger from a test kit syringe to force it to spin correctly (stick it in through the front of the grate until the propeller strikes it and flips direction).
After reading this thread, I thought I'd just take it apart and reseat the bushing, and all would be well. However, when I took it apart, the bushing was already seated correctly in both pumps. I cleaned the algae off all parts and put them back together. When I turned them on, they both started up backwards still.
I've just contacted Hydor through their website to get the new bushing, but at this point I don't think that's the problem in mine. It seems like in mine, when it starts up in reverse, it's supposed to strike a peg on the back side of the grate, but that never happens.