Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Inventories, Net) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 27, 2011
Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Raw materials and work in process	$ 113,127	$ 113,932	$ 99,538
Motorcycle finished goods	252,979	226,261	187,687
Parts and accessories and general merchandise	145,362	121,340	119,134
Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market	511,468	461,533	406,359
Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(43,527)	(43,527)	(34,036)
Inventories, net	$ 467,941	$ 418,006	$ 372,323

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(1))

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- Definition

Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process.

+ References

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- Definition

Reflects the difference between (a) inventory at the lower of LIFO cost or market and (b) inventory at replacement cost or at the lower of some acceptable inventory accounting method (such as FIFO or average cost), or market. If material, reflects an excess of replacement or current cost over stated LIFO value parenthetically on the balance sheet or in a note to the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(c))

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- Definition

Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

The aggregate carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of items held by the entity which are partially completed at the time of measurement and unprocessed items that will go through the production process and become part of the final product. Includes supplies used directly or indirectly in the manufacturing or production process. This element may be used when the reporting entity combines work in process and raw materials into an aggregate amount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 210

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(3),(4))

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of components of assembled products that can be sold directly or indirectly through sales of assembled products.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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