Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 27, 2017	Jun. 26, 2016
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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		176,343,189
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 7,779,258,895