Polaris' Foreign Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 1,105,618	$ 1,456,000	$ 1,124,327	$ 1,033,345	$ 1,275,000	$ 1,302,343	$ 1,013,959	$ 888,346	$ 4,719,290	$ 4,479,648	$ 3,777,068
Identifiable assets	650,678				555,428				650,678	555,428
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									3,688,980	3,339,905	2,721,300
Identifiable assets	548,410				432,614				548,410	432,614
Canadian subsidiary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									378,725	454,608	463,316
MEXICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	39,542				49,064				39,542	49,064
Other foreign countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									651,585	685,135	$ 592,452
Identifiable assets	$ 62,726				$ 73,750				$ 62,726	$ 73,750