Reportable Segments and Geographic Information (Information By Strategic Business Units) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 5,716,875	$ 5,647,224	$ 5,996,458
Costs and Expenses	5,003,352	4,765,143	4,950,164
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	1,258,098	1,180,176	1,213,794
Restructuring expense	93,401	0	0
Operating income	713,523	882,081	1,046,294
Motorcycles
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,968,646	4,915,027	5,271,376
Gross profit	1,616,850	1,642,697	1,845,379
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	1,101,086	1,035,921	1,074,615
Restructuring expense	93,401	0	0
Operating income	422,363	606,776	770,764
Financial Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	748,229	732,197	725,082
Costs and Expenses	457,069	456,892	449,552
Operating income	291,160	275,305	275,530
Financial Services | Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 9,000	$ 6,900	$ 4,400