Rickshaw Motor - Typical 48V 1000W motors available

Random questions, but has anyone used one of those generic rickshaw motors availble with VESC?  I having been working to get this motor working well with a Flipsky 75200 and am having a hard time with violent startup/cogging.  Using the "select motor direction" features is EXTREMELY smooth.  I can't get it working the same way in FOC.