Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2018	May 04, 2018
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-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		166,436,632