- Polaris' Foreign Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 1,217,789	$ 1,185,067	$ 1,130,777	$ 982,996	$ 1,105,618	$ 1,456,000	$ 1,124,327	$ 1,033,345	$ 4,516,629	$ 4,719,290	$ 4,479,648
Identifiable assets	727,596				650,678				727,596	650,678
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									3,557,228	3,688,980	3,339,905
Identifiable assets	637,632				548,410				637,632	548,410
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									307,094	378,725	454,608
Other foreign countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									652,307	651,585	$ 685,135
Identifiable assets	$ 89,964				$ 102,268				$ 89,964	$ 102,268