Supplemental Consolidating Data (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 31, 2008
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,526,950	$ 1,021,933	$ 1,630,433		$ 568,894
Marketable securities	153,380	140,118
Accounts receivable, net	219,039	262,382
Finance receivables, net	1,168,603	1,080,432
Restricted finance receivables held by variable interest entities, net	591,864	699,026
Inventories	418,006	326,446
Restricted cash held by variable interest entities	229,655	288,887
Deferred income taxes	132,331	146,411
Other current assets	102,378	100,991
Total current assets	4,542,206	4,066,626
Finance receivables, net	1,754,441	1,553,781
Restricted finance receivables held by variable interest entities, net	2,271,773	2,684,330
Property, plant and equipment, net	809,459	815,112
Goodwill	29,081	29,590	31,400		60,131
Deferred income taxes	202,439	213,989
Other long-term assets	64,765	67,312
Total assets	9,674,164	9,430,740	9,155,518	[1]
Accounts payable	255,713	225,346
Accrued liabilities	564,172	556,671
Short-term debt	838,486	480,472
Current portion of long-term debt	399,916
Current portion of long-term debt held by variable interest entities	640,331	751,293
Total current liabilities	2,698,618	2,013,782
Long-term debt	2,396,871	2,516,650
Long-term debt held by variable interest entities	1,447,015	2,003,941
Pension liability	302,483	282,085
Postretirement healthcare liability	268,582	254,762
Other long-term liabilities	140,339	152,654
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Total shareholders' equity	2,420,256	2,206,866	2,108,118		2,115,603
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	9,674,164	9,430,740
Motorcycles & Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	943,330	791,791	1,141,862		295,512
Marketable securities	153,380	140,118
Accounts receivable, net	393,615	454,311
Inventories	418,006	326,446
Deferred income taxes	96,120	101,423
Other current assets	71,303	57,269
Total current assets	2,075,754	1,871,358
Property, plant and equipment, net	779,330	785,139
Goodwill	29,081	29,590
Deferred income taxes	203,605	206,179
Other long-term assets	118,774	118,571
Total assets	3,206,544	3,010,837
Accounts payable	220,957	195,642
Accrued liabilities	482,838	501,741
Total current liabilities	703,795	697,383
Long-term debt	303,000	303,000
Pension liability	302,483	282,085
Postretirement healthcare liability	268,582	254,762
Other long-term liabilities	126,036	140,804
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Total shareholders' equity	1,502,648	1,332,803
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,206,544	3,010,837
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	583,620	230,142	488,571		273,382
Finance receivables, net	1,168,603	1,080,432
Restricted finance receivables held by variable interest entities, net	591,864	699,026
Restricted cash held by variable interest entities	229,655	288,887
Deferred income taxes	36,211	44,988
Other current assets	31,075	91,297
Total current assets	2,641,028	2,434,772
Finance receivables, net	1,754,441	1,553,781
Restricted finance receivables held by variable interest entities, net	2,271,773	2,684,330
Property, plant and equipment, net	30,129	29,973
Deferred income taxes	2,538	11,035
Other long-term assets	14,922	14,884
Total assets	6,714,831	6,728,775
Accounts payable	209,332	253,794
Accrued liabilities	85,038	73,569
Short-term debt	838,486	480,472
Current portion of long-term debt	399,916
Current portion of long-term debt held by variable interest entities	640,331	751,293
Total current liabilities	2,173,103	1,559,128
Long-term debt	2,093,871	2,213,650
Long-term debt held by variable interest entities	1,447,015	2,003,941
Other long-term liabilities	14,303	11,850
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Total shareholders' equity	986,539	940,206
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	6,714,831	6,728,775
Eliminations & Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	(174,576)	(191,929)
Other current assets		(47,575)
Total current assets	(174,576)	(239,504)
Deferred income taxes	(3,704)	(3,225)
Other long-term assets	(68,931)	(66,143)
Total assets	(247,211)	(308,872)
Accounts payable	(174,576)	(224,090)
Accrued liabilities	(3,704)	(18,639)
Total current liabilities	(178,280)	(242,729)
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Total shareholders' equity	(68,931)	(66,143)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (247,211)	$ (308,872)

[1] 2009 total assets for the Motorcycles segment includes assets of discontinued operations of $181.2 million.