Debt Instrument, Net of discount/premium and issuance costs.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	hog_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

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

+ Details

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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

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, the carrying amount (net of accumulated amortization) as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399

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 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- 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 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
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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

+ 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

+ Details

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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

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a))
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-Section S99
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-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 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

Debt Debt (Debt With A Contractual Term Greater Than One Year) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$ 870,073,000	$ 1,201,380,000	$ 70,329,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(782,140,000)	(838,349,000)	(1,494,301,000)
Long-term debt, net	5,460,553,000	4,832,469,000	4,347,884,000
Gross Long-term Debt	6,242,693,000	5,670,818,000	5,842,185,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	$ (26,055,000)	(21,106,000)	(15,822,000)
Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.15%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.88%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.70%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.55%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.80%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.40%
Medium Term Notes due 2019 2.25 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.85%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2045 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	$ 1,440,040,000	1,613,216,000	1,920,049,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	(3,063,000)	(3,777,000)	(4,763,000)
Secured Debt [Member] \| Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	153,311,000	153,839,000	154,035,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	1,289,792,000	1,463,154,000	1,770,777,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Secured Notes Through One Term Asset-backed Securitization Transaction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	0		700,000,000
Debt Instrument, Net Amount			697,600,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	0	0	600,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	0	450,000,000	450,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	400,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	400,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	878,708,000	878,708,000	887,958,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000	600,000,000	600,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium Term Notes due 2019 2.25 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000	0	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000	0	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000	600,000,000	600,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	450,000,000	450,000,000	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2045 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	300,000,000	$ 300,000,000	0
Motorcycles [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	450,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Net Amount	$ 444,400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Motorcycles [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2045 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 300,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Net Amount	$ 296,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Financial Services Segment [Member] \| Medium-term Notes [Member] \| 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%
Financial Services Segment [Member] \| Medium-term Notes [Member] \| Medium Term Notes due 2019 2.25 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Net Amount	$ 597,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%
Financial Services Segment [Member] \| Medium-term Notes [Member] \| Medium-Term Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Net Amount	$ 596,300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.85%
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, Net Amount			$ 595,400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			2.15%