Supplemental Consolidating Data (Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products		$ 4,662,264	[1]	$ 4,176,627	[1]	$ 4,287,130	[1]
Financial services		649,449		682,709		494,779
Total revenue		5,311,713		4,859,336		4,781,909
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold		3,106,288		2,749,224		2,900,934
Financial services interest expense		229,492		272,484		283,634
Financial services provision for credit losses		17,031		93,118		169,206
Selling, administrative and engineering expense		1,060,943		1,020,371		979,384
Restructuring expense		67,992		163,508		224,278
Goodwill impairment						28,387
Total costs and expenses		4,481,746		4,298,705		4,585,823
Operating income		829,967		560,631		196,086
Investment income		7,963		5,442		4,254
Interest expense		45,266		90,357		21,680
Loss on debt extinguishment	(85,200)	9,608		85,247
Income before provision for income taxes		792,664		390,469		178,660
Provision for income taxes		244,586		130,800		108,019
Income from continuing operations		548,078		259,669		70,641
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		51,036		(113,124)		(125,757)
Net income		599,114		146,545		(55,116)
Motorcycles & Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products		4,671,942		4,176,627		4,287,130
Total revenue		4,671,942		4,176,627		4,287,130
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold		3,106,288		2,749,224		2,900,934
Selling, administrative and engineering expense		926,832		881,888		852,073
Restructuring expense		67,992		163,508		220,976
Total costs and expenses		4,101,112		3,794,620		3,973,983
Operating income		570,830		382,007		313,147
Investment income		132,963		5,442		4,254
Interest expense		45,266		90,357		21,680
Loss on debt extinguishment				85,247
Income before provision for income taxes		658,527		211,845		295,721
Provision for income taxes		150,756		66,495		140,565
Income from continuing operations		507,771		145,350		155,156
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		51,036		(113,124)		(125,757)
Net income		558,807		32,226		29,399
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services		649,474		683,329		495,687
Total revenue		649,474		683,329		495,687
Financial services interest expense		229,492		272,484		283,634
Financial services provision for credit losses		17,031		93,118		169,206
Selling, administrative and engineering expense		143,814		139,103		128,219
Restructuring expense						3,302
Goodwill impairment						28,387
Total costs and expenses		390,337		504,705		612,748
Operating income		259,137		178,624		(117,061)
Loss on debt extinguishment		9,608
Income before provision for income taxes		259,137		178,624		(117,061)
Provision for income taxes		93,830		64,305		(32,546)
Income from continuing operations		165,307		114,319		(84,515)
Net income		165,307		114,319		(84,515)
Eliminations & Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products		(9,678)
Financial services		(25)		(620)		(908)
Total revenue		(9,703)		(620)		(908)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense		(9,703)		(620)		(908)
Total costs and expenses		(9,703)		(620)		(908)
Investment income		(125,000)
Income before provision for income taxes		(125,000)
Income from continuing operations		(125,000)
Net income		$ (125,000)

[1] Revenue is attributed to geographic regions based on location of customer.