Supplemental Consolidating Data (Operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	$ 1,569,047	$ 1,339,744	$ 2,842,416	$ 2,402,788
Financial services	160,613	165,853	316,935	327,739
Total revenue	1,729,660	1,505,597	3,159,351	2,730,527
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	1,005,230	871,476	1,822,089	1,582,654
Financial services interest expense	48,712	56,991	99,968	115,026
Financial services provision for credit losses	(5,259)	(6,790)	3,754	(1,184)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	283,244	268,424	548,898	502,539
Restructuring expense	6,220	13,594	17,671	36,593
Total costs and expenses	1,338,147	1,203,695	2,492,380	2,235,628
Operating income	391,513	301,902	666,971	494,899
Investment income	2,231	1,748	4,164	3,146
Interest expense	11,595	11,350	23,090	22,831
Income before provision for income taxes	382,149	292,300	648,045	475,214
Provision for income taxes	134,899	101,720	228,760	165,374
Income from continuing operations	247,250	190,580	419,285	309,840
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income	247,250	190,580	419,285	309,840
Motorcycles And Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	1,572,003	1,342,803	2,847,786	2,408,293
Total revenue	1,572,003	1,342,803	2,847,786	2,408,293
Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold	1,005,230	871,476	1,822,089	1,582,654
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	248,268	235,492	484,847	439,163
Restructuring expense	6,220	13,594	17,671	36,593
Total costs and expenses	1,259,718	1,120,562	2,324,607	2,058,410
Operating income	312,285	222,241	523,179	349,883
Investment income	2,231	1,748	229,164	128,146
Interest expense	11,595	11,350	23,090	22,831
Income before provision for income taxes	302,921	212,639	729,253	455,198
Provision for income taxes	106,377	73,042	176,995	113,168
Income from continuing operations	196,544	139,597	552,258	342,030
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income	196,544	139,597	552,258	342,030
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services	160,843	166,518	316,749	328,270
Total revenue	160,843	166,518	316,749	328,270
Financial services interest expense	48,712	56,991	99,968	115,026
Financial services provision for credit losses	(5,259)	(6,790)	3,754	(1,184)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	38,162	36,656	69,235	69,412
Total costs and expenses	81,615	86,857	172,957	183,254
Operating income	79,228	79,661	143,792	145,016
Income before provision for income taxes	79,228	79,661	143,792	145,016
Provision for income taxes	28,522	28,678	51,765	52,206
Income from continuing operations	50,706	50,983	92,027	92,810
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income	50,706	50,983	92,027	92,810
Eliminations & Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and related products	(2,956)	(3,059)	(5,370)	(5,505)
Financial services	(230)	(665)	186	(531)
Total revenue	(3,186)	(3,724)	(5,184)	(6,036)
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	(3,186)	(3,724)	(5,184)	(6,036)
Total costs and expenses	(3,186)	(3,724)	(5,184)	(6,036)
Investment income			(225,000)	(125,000)
Income before provision for income taxes			(225,000)	(125,000)
Income from continuing operations			(225,000)	(125,000)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income			$ (225,000)	$ (125,000)