Restructuring Expense (Summary Of Restructuring Plan Reserve Activity Related To 2009 Plan) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	$ 9,170	$ 12,429	$ 26,841	$ 49,022
Noncash reserve release					43,500
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles And Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period			10,089	26,582	26,582
Restructuring expense			16,153	31,430
Utilized-cash			14,516	41,079
Utilized-noncash			0	0
Noncash reserve release			(2,027)
Balance, end of period	9,699	16,933	9,699	16,933
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles And Related Products [Member] | Employee Serverance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period			10,089	23,818	23,818
Restructuring expense			4,166	5,932
Utilized-cash			2,529	13,000
Utilized-noncash			0	0
Noncash reserve release			(2,027)
Balance, end of period	9,699	16,750	9,699	16,750
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles And Related Products [Member] | Accelerated Depreciation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period			0	0	0
Restructuring expense			0	0
Utilized-cash			0	0
Utilized-noncash			0	0
Noncash reserve release			0
Balance, end of period	0	0	0	0
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles And Related Products [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period			0	2,764	2,764
Restructuring expense			11,987	25,498
Utilized-cash			11,987	28,079
Utilized-noncash			0	0
Noncash reserve release			0
Balance, end of period	$ 0	$ 183	$ 0	$ 183