Business Segments (Information By Strategic Business Units) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$ 1,180,284	$ 1,089,268	$ 4,225,998	$ 3,931,684
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	273,016	257,359	825,899	806,257
Restructuring (benefit) expense	646	9,170	(1,713)	26,841
Financial services revenue	163,434	161,027	483,240	477,962
Operating income	251,539	217,102	1,031,666	884,073
Motorcycles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	1,180,284	1,089,268	4,225,998	3,931,684
Gross profit	416,315	377,904	1,537,627	1,398,231
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	240,198	223,982	729,443	709,015
Restructuring (benefit) expense	646	9,170	(1,713)	26,841
Operating income	175,471	144,752	809,897	662,375
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	163,434	161,027	483,240	477,962
Financial services expense	87,366	88,677	261,471	256,264
Operating income	$ 76,068	$ 72,350	$ 221,769	$ 221,698

The aggregate costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered by an entity.

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The aggregate financial services revenue and operating interest income earned during the reporting period.

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Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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No definition available.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 8

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