Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	May 03, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	HARLEY DAVIDSON INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000793952
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		231,519,008