Reportable Segments and Geographic Information (Segment Information By Geographical Locations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$ 4,915,027	$ 5,271,376	$ 5,308,744
Financial Services revenue	732,197	725,082	686,658
Long-lived assets	967,781	981,593	942,418
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	3,215,513	3,579,129	3,768,069
Financial Services revenue	698,383	692,784	656,888
Long-lived assets	912,032	943,479	915,509
International
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	55,749	38,114	26,909
EMEA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	790,725	798,489	728,198
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Financial Services revenue	6,845	6,528	5,373
Japan
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	180,938	200,309	162,675
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	232,883	212,099	178,042
Financial Services revenue	22,580	21,626	21,180
Australia and New Zealand
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	168,670	181,809	165,854
Other foreign countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	326,298	299,541	305,906
Financial Services revenue	$ 4,389	$ 4,144	$ 3,217