Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gain Loss On Derivative Cash Flow Hedges Recognized In OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	$ 748,878	$ 776,530	$ 2,576,342	$ 2,659,740
Interest expense	7,789	7,762	23,304	23,180
Financial Services interest expense	53,390	44,696	158,387	145,089
Expected to be reclassified over the next twelve months			4,400
Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	12,412		4,798
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		5,051		30,939
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	4,211		12,634
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		4,911		(1,467)
Motorcycle, Cost of Goods Sold \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging \| Foreign currency contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	13,135		14,422
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		4,508		31,253
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	5,826		15,947
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		5,695		(58)
Motorcycle, Cost of Goods Sold \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging \| Commodity contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	(15)		(55)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		5		(7)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	(28)		(45)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		0		(85)
Interest Expense \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging \| Treasury rate locks
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	0		0
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		0		0
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	(91)		(272)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		(90)		(271)
Financial Services interest expense \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging \| Treasury rate locks
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	0		0
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		52		93
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	(33)		(97)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		(33)		(103)
Financial Services interest expense \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest rate swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI	(708)		(9,569)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI		486		(400)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL	$ (1,463)		$ (2,899)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL		$ (661)		$ (950)

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

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The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

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The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

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Amount, before tax, of reclassification of gain (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

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Amount before tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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