Supplemental Consolidating Data (Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	$ 1,273,369	$ 1,063,044
Financial services	156,322	161,886
Total revenue	1,429,691	1,224,930
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	816,859	711,178
Financial services interest expense	51,256	58,035
Financial services provision for credit losses	9,014	5,606
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	265,653	234,115
Restructuring expense	11,451	22,999
Total costs and expenses	1,154,233	1,031,933
Operating income	275,458	192,997
Investment income	1,933	1,398
Interest expense	11,495	11,481
Income before provision for income taxes	265,896	182,914
Provision for income taxes	93,861	63,654
Income from continuing operations	172,035	119,260
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income	172,035	119,260
Motorcycles & Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	1,275,783	1,065,490
Total revenue	1,275,783	1,065,490
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	816,859	711,178
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	236,579	203,671
Restructuring expense	11,451	22,999
Total costs and expenses	1,064,889	937,848
Operating income	210,894	127,642
Investment income	226,933	126,398
Interest expense	11,495	11,481
Income before provision for income taxes	426,332	242,559
Provision for income taxes	70,618	40,126
Income from continuing operations	355,714	202,433
Net income	355,714	202,433
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services	155,906	161,752
Total revenue	155,906	161,752
Financial services interest expense	51,256	58,035
Financial services provision for credit losses	9,014	5,606
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	31,072	32,756
Total costs and expenses	91,342	96,397
Operating income	64,564	65,355
Income before provision for income taxes	64,564	65,355
Provision for income taxes	23,243	23,528
Income from continuing operations	41,321	41,827
Net income	41,321	41,827
Eliminations & Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	(2,414)	(2,446)
Financial services	416	134
Total revenue	(1,998)	(2,312)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	(1,998)	(2,312)
Total costs and expenses	(1,998)	(2,312)
Investment income	(225,000)	(125,000)
Income before provision for income taxes	(225,000)	(125,000)
Income from continuing operations	(225,000)	(125,000)
Net income	$ (225,000)	$ (125,000)