Supplemental Consolidating Data (Operations) (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 [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	$ 1,232,699	$ 1,087,115	$ 3,635,487	$ 3,259,551
Financial services	164,557	172,845	492,296	516,387
Total revenue	1,397,256	1,259,960	4,127,783	3,775,938
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	817,308	707,309	2,399,962	2,103,214
Financial services interest expense	61,907	62,780	176,933	213,104
Financial services provision for credit losses	6,189	28,049	5,005	69,117
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	256,735	241,976	759,274	720,755
Restructuring expense	12,429	67,476	49,022	145,837
Total costs and expenses	1,154,568	1,107,590	3,390,196	3,252,027
Operating income	242,688	152,370	737,587	523,911
Investment income	2,479	1,239	5,625	3,666
Interest expense	11,270	23,102	34,101	70,148
Income before provision for income taxes	233,897	130,507	709,111	457,429
Provision for income taxes	50,303	36,790	215,677	155,684
Income from continuing operations	183,594	93,717	493,434	301,745
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(4,888)		(108,434)
Net income	183,594	88,829	493,434	193,311
Motorcycles & Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	1,234,913	1,088,961	3,643,206	3,261,858
Total revenue	1,234,913	1,088,961	3,643,206	3,261,858
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	817,308	707,309	2,399,962	2,103,214
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	223,213	211,210	662,376	625,676
Restructuring expense	12,429	67,476	49,022	145,837
Total costs and expenses	1,052,950	985,995	3,111,360	2,874,727
Operating income	181,963	102,966	531,846	387,131
Investment income	2,479	1,239	130,625	3,666
Interest expense	11,270	23,102	34,101	70,148
Income before provision for income taxes	173,172	81,103	628,370	320,649
Provision for income taxes	27,906	19,004	141,074	106,442
Income from continuing operations	145,266	62,099	487,296	214,207
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(4,888)		(108,434)
Net income	145,266	57,211	487,296	105,773
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services	165,512	173,227	493,782	517,079
Total revenue	165,512	173,227	493,782	517,079
Financial services interest expense	61,907	62,780	176,933	213,104
Financial services provision for credit losses	6,189	28,049	5,005	69,117
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	36,691	32,994	106,103	98,078
Total costs and expenses	104,787	123,823	288,041	380,299
Operating income	60,725	49,404	205,741	136,780
Income before provision for income taxes	60,725	49,404	205,741	136,780
Provision for income taxes	22,397	17,786	74,603	49,242
Income from continuing operations	38,328	31,618	131,138	87,538
Net income	38,328	31,618	131,138	87,538
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	(2,214)	(1,846)	(7,719)	(2,307)
Financial services	(955)	(382)	(1,486)	(692)
Total revenue	(3,169)	(2,228)	(9,205)	(2,999)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	(3,169)	(2,228)	(9,205)	(2,999)
Total costs and expenses	(3,169)	(2,228)	(9,205)	(2,999)
Investment income			(125,000)
Income before provision for income taxes			(125,000)
Income from continuing operations			(125,000)
Net income			$ (125,000)