Restructuring Expense And Other Impairments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended											1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				60 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 New Castalloy Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Kansas City Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Original 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] employee	Sep. 30, 2010 2010 Restructuring Plan [Member] agreement	Dec. 31, 2013 2010 Restructuring Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2010 Restructuring Plan [Member] Milwaukee Facilities [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2010 Restructuring Plan [Member] Tomahawk Facilities [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Production, Hourly [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Motorcycles Segment [Member] Non-Production [Member] employee	Dec. 31, 2013 2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] Financial Services Segment [Member] Salaried [Member] employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated reduction in workforce									100				145			200			250	75			2,900				800	100
Expected number of positions retained									100
Restructuring expense	$ (2,131)	$ 28,475	$ 67,992	$ (2,131)	$ 28,475	$ 67,992	$ 5,282	$ 12,819	$ 22,100	$ 5,282	$ 12,819		$ 6,000	$ 0	$ 0			$ 59,200				$ 393,800		$ 907	$ 17,253	$ 39,532
Non-cash charges									35.00%												30.00%
Labor agreement period (in years)												7 years					7 years
Cost incurred to date, non-cash													10.00%					45.00%
Number of labor agreements																	3