Business Segments (Information By Strategic Business Units) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$ 1,834,285	$ 1,631,466	$ 3,405,973	$ 3,045,714
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	286,156	281,384	562,577	552,883
Restructuring benefit	0	(5,297)	0	(2,359)
Financial Services revenue	166,414	162,841	320,774	319,806
Operating income	547,695	431,821	958,577	780,127
Motorcycles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	1,834,285	1,631,466	3,405,973	3,045,714
Gross profit	724,139	601,870	1,316,270	1,121,312
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	250,883	249,502	495,322	489,245
Restructuring benefit	0	(5,297)	0	(2,359)
Operating income	473,256	357,665	820,948	634,426
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial Services revenue	166,414	162,841	320,774	319,806
Financial services expense	91,975	88,685	183,145	174,105
Operating income	$ 74,439	$ 74,156	$ 137,629	$ 145,701