Restructuring Expense And Other Impairments (Restructuring Plan Reserve Recorded In Accrued Liabilities Related To The 2009 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, beginning of period	$ 35,234
Restructuring expense	67,992	163,508	224,278
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
Restructuring expense	39,532	119,125	220,976
Utilized - cash	(53,732)	(105,908)	(70,741)
Utilized - noncash		(50,306)	(82,743)
Noncash reserve release	(2,293)	(3,821)
Balance, end of period	10,089	26,582	67,492
Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		219
Restructuring expense			3,302
Utilized - cash		(44)	(2,657)
Utilized - noncash		(175)	(426)
Noncash reserve release
Balance, end of period			219
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	8,652
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
Restructuring expense	5,062	31,119	103,769
Utilized - cash	(16,498)	(44,394)	(29,885)
Utilized - noncash		1,023	(37,814)
Noncash reserve release	(2,293)
Balance, end of period	10,089	23,818	36,070
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		219
Restructuring expense			1,679
Utilized - cash		(44)	(1,460)
Utilized - noncash		(175)
Noncash reserve release
Balance, end of period			219
Accelerated Depreciation [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Restructuring expense		47,923	26,905
Utilized - cash
Utilized - noncash		(47,923)	(26,905)
Noncash reserve release
Balance, end of period
Asset Impairment [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Restructuring expense			18,024
Utilized - cash
Utilized - noncash			(18,024)
Noncash reserve release
Balance, end of period
Other Restructuring [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	2,764	31,422
Restructuring expense	34,470	40,083	72,278
Utilized - cash	(37,234)	(61,514)	(40,856)
Utilized - noncash		(3,406)
Noncash reserve release		(3,821)
Balance, end of period		2,764	31,422
Other Restructuring [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Restructuring expense			1,623
Utilized - cash			(1,197)
Utilized - noncash			(426)
Noncash reserve release
Balance, end of period
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	26,582	67,711
Restructuring expense	39,532	119,125	224,278
Utilized - cash	(53,732)	(105,952)	(73,398)
Utilized - noncash		(50,481)	(83,169)
Noncash reserve release	(2,293)	(3,821)
Balance, end of period	$ 10,089	$ 26,582	$ 67,711