Business Segments (Information By Strategic Business Units) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$ 1,232,699	$ 1,087,115	$ 3,635,487	$ 3,259,551
Restructuring expense	12,429	67,476	49,022	145,837
Financial services revenue	164,557	172,845	492,296	516,387
Operating income	242,688	152,370	737,587	523,911
Motorcycles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	1,232,699	1,087,115	3,635,487	3,259,551
Gross profit	415,391	379,806	1,235,525	1,156,337
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	222,258	210,828	660,890	624,984
Restructuring expense	12,429	67,476	49,022	145,837
Operating income	180,704	101,502	525,613	385,516
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	164,557	172,845	492,296	516,387
Financial services expense	102,573	121,977	280,322	377,992
Operating income	$ 61,984	$ 50,868	$ 211,974	$ 138,395

Operating expenses associated with the company's financial services segment excluding goodwill impairment and restructuring charges.

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Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Line Items]

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The aggregate financial services revenue and operating interest income earned during the reporting period.

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Adjustment to remove noncash portion of restructuring costs and include cash payments when calculating cash flows from operations using the indirect method.

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