As in every field there is a learning curve. Some of the common acronyms are listed here.
| °KW | Grad Kurbelwelle | Degrees crankshaft (referenced to zero at the top, as far as we can tell) |
| ABS | Antilock Braking System | |
| ASC | Automatischen Stabilitäts-Control | Automatic Stability Control |
| Beh | Behörde | Official |
| BMS-C | BMS-Compact | Engine controller for 650 single spark and C1 |
| BMS-CII | BMS-Compact II | Engine controller for 650 twin spark and G650 |
| BMS-K | Engine controller for CAN-bus bikes | |
| BMS-KP | Engine controller for later CAN-bus bikes (required for ESA) | |
| CAN | Controller Area Network | Multi master, serial, two wire data bus specified in ISO 11898 that interconnects various control units in newer model bikes (starting with R1200GS in 2004) |
| DISA | Differenzierte Sauganlage | Differential (Variable) air intake control |
| DKA | Drosselklappen-Anstellers | Throttle Valve Actuator |
| DKP | Drosselklappen-Potentiometers | Throttle-Valve Potentiometer |
| DTC | Diagnostic Trouble Code | |
| DWA | Diebstahlwarnanlage | Anti-theft Alarm System |
| DZ | Doppelzündung | Twin Spark |
| ECU | Electronic control unit | |
| EHKS | Elektrohydraulisches Kippständersystem | Electro-hydraulic centre-stand system |
| ESA | Elektronische Fahrwerkseinstellung | Electronic Suspension Adjustment |
| FGR | Fahrgeschwindigkeitsregler | Cruise control |
| FL | Face lift | |
| FSV | Functional Software Version | |
| ICOM A + D | Integrated Communication Optical Module | ICOM A: ethernet to OBD-II interface ICOM D: adapter from 16pin OBD-II to round 10pin Motorrad connector |
| I-Stufe | Integrationsstufe | Integration stage or I-level - 2 versions "HO" for "Handelsorganisationen" (Dealer Organisation) and "W" for "Werk" (Factory) |
| ISID | Integrated Service Information Display | |
| ISIS | Integrated Service Information Server | |
| ISTA | The Diagnostic Application for MOSS | |
| ISTA/P | The Programming Application for MOSS | |
| K-Line | Single wire (plus ground), bidirectional (half-duplex) serial communications bus specified in ISO 9141 and ISO 14230 | |
| KOMBI | Kombiinstrument | Instrument Cluster |
| LIN | Local Interconnect Network | LIN Bus is a single wire serial protocol and was created in partnership between BMW, the Volkswagen/Audi Group, Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz, with networking and hardware technology from the Volcano Automotive Group and Motorola. |
| MCV | Message Catalog Version | |
| Mil | Militär | Military |
| MOSS | Motorrad Online Service System | |
| MU/Mü/Mue | Modellüberarbeitung | Model revision (Face Lift) |
| OSV | Operating System Version | |
| RDC | Reifendruckkontrolle | Tyre Pressure Control |
| TPS | Throttle Position Sensor | Potentiometer that measures the position |
| USB | Universal Serial Bus | |
| ZFE | Zentrale Fahrgestellelektronik | Central Frame Electronics |
