Restructuring Expense And Other Impairments (Restructuring Plan Reserve Recorded In Accrued Liabilities Related To The 2011 Plan And 2010 Plan) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, end of period	$ 43,310	$ 35,234
Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	26,582	67,492
Utilized - cash	(53,732)	(105,908)	(70,741)
Utilized - noncash		(50,306)	(82,743)
Balance, end of period	10,089	26,582	67,492
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	8,652
Restructuring expense	12,575	44,383
Utilized - cash	(866)	(7,557)
Utilized - noncash		(28,174)
Balance, end of period	20,361	8,652
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	23,818	36,070
Utilized - cash	(16,498)	(44,394)	(29,885)
Utilized - noncash		1,023	(37,814)
Balance, end of period	10,089	23,818	36,070
Accelerated Depreciation [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Utilized - cash
Utilized - noncash		(47,923)	(26,905)
Balance, end of period
2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	18,178
Utilized - cash	(4,430)
Utilized - noncash	(892)
Balance, end of period	12,856
2010 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Utilized - noncash		28,200
Kansas City [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	8,789
Utilized - cash	(4,430)
Utilized - noncash	(236)
Balance, end of period	4,123
Kansas City [Member] | Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	8,447
Utilized - cash	(4,088)
Utilized - noncash	(236)
Balance, end of period	4,123
Kansas City [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	342
Utilized - cash	(342)
New Castalloy [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	9,389
Utilized - noncash	(656)
Balance, end of period	8,733
New Castalloy [Member] | Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	8,428
Balance, end of period	8,428
New Castalloy [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	305
Balance, end of period	305
New Castalloy [Member] | Accelerated Depreciation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	656
Utilized - noncash	$ (656)