Restructuring Expense And Other Impairments (Restructuring Plan Reserve Recorded In Accrued Liabilities Related To The 2009 Plan) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		$ 43,310,000
Restructuring expense		28,475,000	67,992,000	163,508,000
Noncash reserve release	43,500,000
Balance, end of period	43,310,000	27,223,000	43,310,000
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		20,361,000	8,652,000	0
Restructuring expense		4,005,000	12,575,000	44,383,000
Utilized - cash		12,898,000	866,000	7,557,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(28,174,000)
Noncash reserve release		(1,312,000)	0	0
Balance, end of period	20,361,000	10,156,000	20,361,000	8,652,000
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		10,089,000	23,818,000	36,070,000
Restructuring expense		4,099,000	5,062,000	31,119,000
Utilized - cash		6,566,000	16,498,000	44,394,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	1,023,000
Noncash reserve release		(2,426,000)	(2,293,000)	0
Balance, end of period	10,089,000	5,196,000	10,089,000	23,818,000
Employee Severance And Termination Costs [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	219,000
Restructuring expense		0	0	0
Utilized - cash		0	0	44,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(175,000)
Noncash reserve release		0	0	0
Balance, end of period	0	0	0	0
Accelerated Depreciation [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	0
Restructuring expense		0	0	47,923,000
Utilized - cash		0	0	0
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(47,923,000)
Noncash reserve release		0	0	0
Balance, end of period	0	0	0	0
Other Restructuring [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0	2,764,000	31,422,000
Restructuring expense		13,154,000	34,470,000	40,083,000
Utilized - cash		12,993,000	37,234,000	61,514,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(3,406,000)
Noncash reserve release		0	0	(3,821,000)
Balance, end of period	0	161,000	0	2,764,000
Other Restructuring [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	0
Restructuring expense		0	0	0
Utilized - cash		0	0	0
Utilized - noncash		0	0	0
Noncash reserve release		0	0	0
Balance, end of period	0	0	0	0
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		10,089,000	26,582,000	67,711,000
Restructuring expense		17,253,000	39,532,000	119,125,000
Utilized - cash		19,559,000	53,732,000	105,952,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(50,481,000)
Noncash reserve release		(2,426,000)	(2,293,000)	(3,821,000)
Balance, end of period	10,089,000	5,357,000	10,089,000	26,582,000
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Motorcycles & Related Products [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		10,089,000	26,582,000	67,492,000
Restructuring expense		17,253,000	39,532,000	119,125,000
Utilized - cash		19,559,000	53,732,000	105,908,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(50,306,000)
Noncash reserve release			(2,293,000)	(3,821,000)
Balance, end of period	10,089,000	5,357,000	10,089,000	26,582,000
2009 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	219,000
Restructuring expense		0	0	0
Utilized - cash		0	0	44,000
Utilized - noncash		0	0	(175,000)
Noncash reserve release		0	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0