Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Inventories, Net) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials and work in process	$ 130,510	$ 111,335	$ 121,184
Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market	447,088	439,413	423,488
Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(45,889)	(45,889)	(44,359)
Inventories, net	401,199	393,524	379,129
Motorcycle Finished Goods [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	181,239	205,660	169,515
Parts and Accessories Finished Goods [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 135,339	$ 122,418	$ 132,789

Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of completed merchandise or goods expected to be sold within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of difference between inventory at lower of LIFO cost or market and inventory at lower of other inventory accounting method cost or market, for example, but not limited to, FIFO or average cost.

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- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386567&loc=d3e3927-108312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

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- Definition

The aggregate carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of items held by the entity which are partially completed at the time of measurement and unprocessed items that will go through the production process and become part of the final product. Includes supplies used directly or indirectly in the manufacturing or production process. This element may be used when the reporting entity combines work in process and raw materials into an aggregate amount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(3),(4))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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