Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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 210.5-02.22)

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ 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 210.5-02.19,20)

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ 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 210.5-02.22)

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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 210.5-02.19(a))

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph a(1)

-Article 7

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph 2, 3

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2014Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2015Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2016Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue20171.55rateMemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_MediumTermNotesDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_AssetBackedCanadianCommercialPaperConduitFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_TermAssetBackedSecuritizationVIEsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hog_SecuredNotesThroughOneTermAssetbackedSecuritizationTransactionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hog_FinancialServicesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt Debt (Debt With A Contractual Term Greater Than One Year) (Details) - Credit Facility [Domain] - Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$ 114,983,000	$ 619,622,000		$ 731,786,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(1,551,368,000)	(944,915,000)		(1,011,315,000)
Long-term debt	4,560,349,000	3,794,396,000		3,761,528,000
Gross Long-term Debt	6,111,717,000	4,739,311,000		4,772,843,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	(1,145,000)
Medium-Term Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.75%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.15%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 450,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.88%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.70%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.55%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 888,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.80%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.40%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	$ 160,940,000	173,224,000		166,912,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	2,017,079,000	1,712,855,000		1,271,533,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Secured Notes Through One Term Asset-backed Securitization Transaction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	500,000,000	850,000,000.0	$ 700,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	0	499,946,000		0
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	599,954,000	599,680,000		599,817,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	449,964,000	449,910,000		449,937,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	399,972,000	399,955,000		399,963,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	399,557,000	0		399,464,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	887,467,000	903,741,000		887,381,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	598,066,000	0		597,836,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	$ 598,718,000	0		$ 0
Financial Services Segment [Member] \| Medium-term Notes [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.80%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount		6,100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		$ (1,100,000)
Financial Services Segment [Member] \| Medium-term Notes [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%