- Polaris' Foreign Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 1,431,049	$ 1,478,726	$ 1,364,920	$ 1,153,782	$ 1,217,789	$ 1,185,067	$ 1,130,777	$ 982,996	$ 5,428,477	$ 4,516,629	$ 4,719,290
Identifiable assets	747,189				727,596				747,189	727,596
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									4,327,579	3,557,228	3,688,980
Identifiable assets	653,023				637,632				653,023	637,632
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									375,580	307,094	378,725
Other foreign countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									725,318	652,307	$ 651,585
Identifiable assets	$ 94,166				$ 89,964				$ 94,166	$ 89,964