Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Polaris Inc. (“Polaris” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial statements and, therefore, do not include all information and disclosures of results of operations, financial position and changes in cash flow in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Accordingly, such statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, equity, and cash flows for the periods presented. Due to the seasonality trends for certain products and to certain changes in production and shipping cycles, results of such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the complete year.
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. In making fair value measurements, observable market data must be used when available. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its non-qualified deferred compensation assets and liabilities, and the income approach for foreign currency contracts, and interest rate contracts. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities, and for the income approach, the Company uses significant other observable inputs to value its derivative instruments used to hedge foreign currency, interest rate, and commodity transactions.
Inventories	Inventories. Inventory costs include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs, including depreciation expense associated with the manufacture and distribution of the Company’s products. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements. Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and in July 2018, ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, and ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements (collectively, “the new lease standard” or “ASC 842”). The new standard requires lessees to record assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with the classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019 using the alternative transition method provided under ASC 842, which allowed the Company to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient permitted under the transition guidance within the new lease standard. The Company made an accounting policy election to not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the balance sheet. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from the lease components to which they relate, and instead account for each separate lease and non-lease component associated with that lease component as a single lease component for all underlying asset classes. Accordingly, all costs associated with a lease contract are accounted for as a lease cost. The new standard resulted in the recognition of additional net lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $115,681,000 as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, equity or cash flows as of the adoption date. Under the alternative method of adoption, comparative information was not restated, but will continue to be reported under the standards in effect for those periods. See Note 10 for further information regarding the Company’s leases. Derivatives and hedging. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows. Non-employee share-based payments. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-based Payment Accounting. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows. Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the goodwill impairment test. Stranded Tax Effects. Effective January 1, 2019 the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to 21% from 35% due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). As a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-02, the Company recorded a $668,000 reclassification to decrease Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and increase Retained Earnings. Financial instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and in November 2018 issued a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. ASU 2016-13 significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2018-19 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows. There are no other new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Polaris Inc. (“Polaris” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial statements and, therefore, do not include all information and disclosures of results of operations, financial position and changes in cash flow in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Accordingly, such statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, equity, and cash flows for the periods presented. Due to the seasonality trends for certain products and to certain changes in production and shipping cycles, results of such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the complete year.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In making fair value measurements, observable market data must be used when available. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its non-qualified deferred compensation assets and liabilities, and the income approach for foreign currency contracts, and interest rate contracts. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities, and for the income approach, the Company uses significant other observable inputs to value its derivative instruments used to hedge foreign currency, interest rate, and commodity transactions.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventory costs include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs, including depreciation expense associated with the manufacture and distribution of the Company’s products. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and in July 2018, ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, and ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements (collectively, “the new lease standard” or “ASC 842”). The new standard requires lessees to record assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with the classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019 using the alternative transition method provided under ASC 842, which allowed the Company to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient permitted under the transition guidance within the new lease standard.

The Company made an accounting policy election to not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the balance sheet. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from the lease components to which they relate, and instead account for each separate lease and non-lease component associated with that lease component as a single lease component for all underlying asset classes. Accordingly, all costs associated with a lease contract are accounted for as a lease cost.

The new standard resulted in the recognition of additional net lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $115,681,000 as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, equity or cash flows as of the adoption date. Under the alternative method of adoption, comparative information was not restated, but will continue to be reported under the standards in effect for those periods. See Note 10 for further information regarding the Company’s leases.

Derivatives and hedging. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows.

Non-employee share-based payments. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-based Payment Accounting. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows.

Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the goodwill impairment test.

Stranded Tax Effects. Effective January 1, 2019 the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to 21% from 35% due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). As a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-02, the Company recorded a $668,000 reclassification to decrease Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and increase Retained Earnings.

Financial instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and in November 2018 issued a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. ASU 2016-13 significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for

instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2018-19 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows.

There are no other new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.