Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	May 01, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HARLEY DAVIDSON INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000793952
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		208,135,149