Reportable Segments and Geographic Information (Segment Information By Geographical Locations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$ 5,271,376	$ 5,308,744	$ 5,567,681
Financial Services revenue	725,082	686,658	660,827
Long-lived assets	981,593	942,418	899,945
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	3,579,129	3,768,069	3,773,087
Financial Services revenue	692,784	656,888	627,317
Long-lived assets	943,479	915,509	865,617
International
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	38,114	26,909	34,328
EMEA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	798,489	728,198	869,690
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Financial Services revenue	6,528	5,373	5,684
Japan
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	200,309	162,675	197,792
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	212,099	178,042	194,422
Financial Services revenue	21,626	21,180	23,707
Australia and New Zealand
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	181,809	165,854	190,029
Other foreign countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	299,541	305,906	342,661
Financial Services revenue	$ 4,144	$ 3,217	$ 4,119