Harley-Davidson (HOG) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HARLEY DAVIDSON INC
Entity Central Index Key	793952
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	29-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		208,135,149

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Revenue:
Motorcycles and Related Products	$1,510,570	$1,571,688
Financial Services	162,375	154,360
Total revenue	1,672,945	1,726,048
Costs and expenses:
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	920,295	979,557
Financial Services interest expense	38,536	38,857
Financial Services provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	277,749	276,421
Total costs and expenses	1,262,827	1,315,166
Operating income	410,118	410,882
Investment income	1,322	1,659
Interest expense	9	3,677
Income before provision for income taxes	411,431	408,864
Provision for income taxes	141,577	142,947
Net income	$269,854	$265,917
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.28	$1.21
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.27	$1.21
Cash dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.28

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$269,854	$265,917
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-27,021	2,948
Derivative financial instruments	11,072	-227
Marketable securities	-67	-42
Pension and postretirement benefit plans	8,798	6,068
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-7,218	8,747
Comprehensive income	$262,636	$274,664

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,168,724	$906,680	$935,820
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	57,219	57,325	92,940
Accounts receivable, net	280,497	247,621	324,979
Finance receivables, net	2,357,993	1,916,635	2,223,199
Inventories	480,941	448,871	449,044
Restricted cash	120,428	98,627	117,883
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	83,519	89,916	89,070
Other current assets	164,484	182,420	127,536
Total current assets	4,713,805	3,948,095	4,360,471
Finance receivables, net	4,490,599	4,516,246	4,214,496
Property, plant and equipment, net	873,518	883,077	823,061
Prepaid Pension Costs	0	0	250,575
Goodwill	25,632	27,752	30,427
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	72,176	77,835	3,023
Other long-term assets	88,094	75,092	47,738
Total assets	10,263,824	9,528,097	9,729,791
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	440,920	196,868	454,366
Accrued liabilities	497,027	449,317	566,755
Short-term debt	70,329	731,786	974,153
Current portion of long-term debt	1,500,611	1,011,315	848,840
Total current liabilities	2,508,887	2,389,286	2,844,114
Long-term debt	4,357,538	3,761,528	3,271,648
Pension liability	71,263	76,186	37,261
Postretirement healthcare liability	199,645	203,006	212,887
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent	0	0	35,973
Other long-term liabilities	190,651	188,805	168,073
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, none issued	0	0	0
Common stock	3,445	3,442	3,435
Additional paid-in-capital	1,286,991	1,265,257	1,198,655
Retained earnings	8,663,427	8,459,040	8,058,119
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-522,161	-514,943	-323,929
Treasury stock, at cost	-6,495,862	-6,303,510	-5,776,445
Total shareholders' equity	2,935,840	2,909,286	3,159,835
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	10,263,824	9,528,097	9,729,791
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Current assets:
Finance receivables, net	364,936	312,645	274,797
Restricted cash	138,574	110,017	105,536
Other current assets	3,754	3,409	3,387
Finance receivables, net	1,511,659	1,113,801	922,060
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	414,665	366,889	309,250
Long-term debt	1,356,112	904,644	787,383
Commercial Paper [Member]
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$70,329	$731,786	$974,153

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$174,700	$203,586
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-38,069	-25,881
Origination of finance receivables	-752,404	-757,965
Collections on finance receivables	729,666	707,431
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities	0	6,001
Other	9	51
Net cash used by investing activities	-60,798	-70,363
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	0	-303,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	595,386	0
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	697,591	0
Repayments of Securitization Debt	200,695	159,938
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	-661,241	307,803
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	16,798	13,746
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	-15,744	-16,981
Net change in restricted cash	-28,579	26,924
Dividends paid	-65,467	-60,527
Purchase of common stock for treasury	-192,700	-87,690
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	2,207	4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605	8,894
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	157,161	-266,006
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-9,019	1,991
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	262,044	-130,792
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	906,680	1,066,612
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	262,044	-130,792
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	1,168,724	935,820
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities	509,069	480,697
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-829	-1,190
Origination of finance receivables	-2,008,170	-1,992,601
Collections on finance receivables	1,519,934	1,502,645
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities		0
Other	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	-489,065	-491,146
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of Unsecured Debt		0
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	595,386
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	697,591
Repayments of Securitization Debt	200,695	159,938
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	-661,241	307,803
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper		-16,981
Net change in restricted cash	-28,579	26,924
Dividends paid	-100,000	-120,000
Purchase of common stock for treasury	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	0	0
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	53,516	51,554
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,756	-1,277
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	71,764	39,828
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	332,785	347,700
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	71,764	39,828
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	404,549	387,528
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	0
Motorcycles And Related Products Operations [Member]
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities	231,129	282,311
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-37,240	-24,691
Origination of finance receivables	0	0
Collections on finance receivables	0	0
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities		6,001
Other	9	51
Net cash used by investing activities	-37,231	-18,639
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of Unsecured Debt		-303,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	0
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	0
Repayments of Securitization Debt	0	0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	0	0
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper		0
Net change in restricted cash	0	0
Dividends paid	-65,467	-60,527
Purchase of common stock for treasury	-192,700	-87,690
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	2,207	4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605	8,894
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	3,645	-437,560
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-7,263	3,268
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	190,280	-170,620
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	573,895	718,912
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	190,280	-170,620
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$764,175	$548,292

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Use_

Basis Of Presentation And Use Of Estimates	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company), including the accounts of the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). In addition, certain variable interest entities (VIEs) related to secured financing are consolidated as the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and material intercompany transactions are eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three month periods then ended, the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three month periods then ended and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three month periods then ended.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The Company operates in two principal reportable segments: Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New_Accounting_Standards

New Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards
	Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU No. 2014-09). ASU No. 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is required to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date for its new revenue standard for public and nonpublic entities reporting under GAAP. Under the proposal, the standard would be effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02). ASU No. 2015-02 amends the guidance within Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, "Consolidation,” to change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain legal entities. The Company is required to adopt ASU No, 2015-02 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company believes the adoption of ASU No. 2015-02 will not have an impact its financial results, the adoption of ASU No. 2015-02 will only impact the content of the current disclosure.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03). ASU No. 2015-03 amends the guidance within ASC Topic 835, "Interest", to require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt premiums and discounts. The Company is required to adopt ASU No, 2015-03 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 on a retrospective basis. Upon adoption, the Company will reclassify its debt issuance costs from other assets to debt on the balance sheet. At March 29, 2015, the Company had $19.1 million of debt issuance costs recorded as assets on the balance sheet.

Additional_Balance_Sheet_and_C

Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information	Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information
	Marketable Securities
	The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Available-for-sale: Corporate bonds	$	57,219		$	57,325		$	92,940
	Trading securities: Mutual funds	37,667			33,815			33,182
		$	94,886		$	91,140		$	126,122
	The Company’s available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported in other comprehensive income. During the first three months of 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized gross unrealized losses of approximately $106,000 and $67,000, respectively, or $67,000 and $42,000 net of taxes, respectively, to adjust amortized cost to fair value. The marketable securities have contractual maturities that generally come due over the next 1 to 25 months.
	The Company's trading securities relate to investments held by the Company to fund certain deferred compensation obligations. The trading securities are carried at fair value with gains and losses recorded in net income and investments are included in other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Substantially all inventories located in the United States are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Other inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Components at the lower of FIFO cost or market
	Raw materials and work in process	$	153,734		$	151,254		$	141,381
	Motorcycle finished goods	253,922			230,309			222,649
	Parts and accessories and general merchandise	123,187			117,210			133,740
	Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market	530,843			498,773			497,770
	Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(49,902		)	(49,902		)	(48,726		)
		$	480,941		$	448,871		$	449,044
	Operating Cash Flow
	The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	269,854		$	265,917
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	46,028			43,398
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	22,932			22,101
	Amortization of financing origination fees	2,215			2,085
	Provision for employee long-term benefits	12,318			8,425
	Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,627		)	(6,879		)
	Stock compensation expense	8,046			9,239
	Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	(465,598		)	(439,422		)
	Provision for credit losses	26,247			20,331
	Deferred income taxes	2,820			(474		)
	Foreign currency adjustments	18,154			(4,172		)
	Other, net	(2,507		)	3,055
	Changes in current assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable, net	(49,936		)	(61,217		)
	Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	2,067			793
	Inventories	(51,934		)	(20,317		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,102			356,430
	Derivative instruments	399			1,222
	Other	35,120			3,071
	Total adjustments	(95,154		)	(62,331		)
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	174,700		$	203,586

Finance_Receivables

Finance Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance Receivables	Finance Receivables
	The Company provides retail financial services to customers of the Company’s independent dealers in the United States and Canada. The origination of retail loans is a separate and distinct transaction between the Company and the retail customer, unrelated to the Company’s sale of product to its dealers. Retail finance receivables consist of secured promissory notes and secured installment sales contracts. The Company holds either titles or liens on titles to vehicles financed by promissory notes and installment sales contracts.
	The Company offers wholesale financing to the Company’s independent dealers. Wholesale loans to dealers are generally secured by financed inventory or property and are originated in the U.S. and Canada.
	Finance receivables, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Retail	$	5,576,558		$	5,607,924		$	5,254,133
	Wholesale	1,404,854			952,321			1,298,091
		6,981,412			6,560,245			6,552,224
	Allowance for credit losses	(132,820		)	(127,364		)	(114,529		)
		$	6,848,592		$	6,432,881		$	6,437,695
	A provision for credit losses on finance receivables is charged or credited to earnings in amounts that the Company believes are sufficient to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level that is adequate to cover losses of principal inherent in the existing portfolio. The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the finance receivable portfolio as of the balance sheet date. However, due to the use of projections and assumptions in estimating the losses, the amount of losses actually incurred by the Company could differ from the amounts estimated.
	Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables by portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	122,025		$	5,339		$	127,364
	Provision for credit losses	22,543			3,704			26,247
	Charge-offs	(32,733		)	—			(32,733		)
	Recoveries	11,942			—			11,942
	Balance, end of period	$	123,777		$	9,043		$	132,820
		Three months ended March 30, 2014
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	106,063		$	4,630		$	110,693
	Provision for credit losses	17,208			3,123			20,331
	Charge-offs	(27,343		)	—			(27,343		)
	Recoveries	10,848			—			10,848
	Balance, end of period	$	106,776		$	7,753		$	114,529
	Finance receivables are considered impaired when management determines it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the terms of the loan agreement. Portions of the allowance for credit losses are established to cover estimated losses on finance receivables specifically identified for impairment. The unspecified portion of the allowance for credit losses covers estimated losses on finance receivables which are collectively reviewed for impairment.
	The retail portfolio primarily consists of a large number of small balance, homogeneous finance receivables. The Company performs a periodic and systematic collective evaluation of the adequacy of the retail allowance for credit losses. The Company utilizes loss forecast models which consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss trends, origination or vintage analysis, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the value of the underlying collateral, recovery rates, and current economic conditions including items such as unemployment rates. Retail finance receivables are not evaluated individually for impairment prior to charge-off and therefore are not reported as impaired loans.
	The wholesale portfolio is primarily composed of large balance, non-homogeneous loans. The Company’s evaluation for the wholesale allowance for credit losses is first based on a loan-by-loan review. A specific allowance for credit losses is established for wholesale finance receivables determined to be individually impaired when management concludes that the borrower will not be able to make full payment of the contractual amounts due based on the original terms of the loan agreement. The impairment is determined based on the cash that the Company expects to receive discounted at the loan’s original interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral-dependent. Finance receivables in the wholesale portfolio that are not considered impaired on an individual basis are segregated, based on similar risk characteristics, according to the Company’s internal risk rating system and collectively evaluated for impairment. The related allowance for credit losses is based on factors such as the specific borrower’s financial performance and ability to repay, the Company’s past loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and the value of the underlying collateral.
	Generally, it is the Company’s policy not to change the terms and conditions of finance receivables. However, to minimize the economic loss, the Company may modify certain finance receivables in troubled debt restructurings. Total restructured finance receivables are not significant.
	The allowance for credit losses and finance receivables by portfolio, segregated by those amounts that are individually evaluated for impairment and those that are collectively evaluated for impairment, was as follows (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	123,777			9,043			132,820
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	123,777		$	9,043		$	132,820
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,576,558			1,404,854			6,981,412
	Total finance receivables	$	5,576,558		$	1,404,854		$	6,981,412
		31-Dec-14
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	122,025			5,339			127,364
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	122,025		$	5,339		$	127,364
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,607,924			952,321			6,560,245
	Total finance receivables	$	5,607,924		$	952,321		$	6,560,245
		March 30, 2014
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	106,776			7,753			114,529
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	106,776		$	7,753		$	114,529
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,254,133			1,298,091			6,552,224
	Total finance receivables	$	5,254,133		$	1,298,091		$	6,552,224
	There were no wholesale finance receivables at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014, or March 30, 2014 that were individually deemed to be impaired under ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.”
	Retail finance receivables are contractually delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the specified due date. Retail finance receivables are generally charged-off when the receivable is 120 days or more delinquent, the related asset is repossessed or the receivable is otherwise deemed uncollectible. All retail finance receivables accrue interest until either collected or charged-off. Accordingly, as of March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, all retail finance receivables were accounted for as interest-earning receivables, of which $19.0 million, $28.7 million and $17.0 million, respectively, were 90 days or more past due.
Wholesale finance receivables are delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the contractual due date. Interest continues to accrue on past due finance receivables until the date the finance receivable becomes uncollectible and the finance receivable is placed on non-accrual status. The Company will resume accruing interest on these accounts when payments are current according to the terms of the loans and future payments are reasonably assured. While on non-accrual status, all cash received is applied to principal or interest as appropriate. Wholesale finance receivables are written down once management determines that the specific borrower does not have the ability to repay the loan in full. There were no wholesale receivables on non-accrual status at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 or March 30, 2014. At March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million of wholesale finance receivables were 90 days or more past due and accruing interest, respectively.
An analysis of the aging of past due finance receivables was as follows (in thousands):
	29-Mar-15
	Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
				Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
										Past Due				Receivables
Retail	$	5,451,248		$	82,302		$	24,013		$	18,995	$	125,310	$	5,576,558
Wholesale	1,404,160			443			107			144		694		1,404,854
Total	$	6,855,408		$	82,745		$	24,120		$	19,139	$	126,004	$	6,981,412
	December 31, 2014
	Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
				Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
										Past Due				Receivables
Retail	$	5,427,719		$	113,007		$	38,486		$	28,712	$	180,205	$	5,607,924
Wholesale	951,660			383			72			206		661		952,321
Total	$	6,379,379		$	113,390		$	38,558		$	28,918	$	180,866	$	6,560,245
	March 30, 2014
	Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
				Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
										Past Due				Receivables
Retail	$	5,134,053		$	80,344		$	22,767		$	16,969	$	120,080	$	5,254,133
Wholesale	1,297,761			144			96			90		330		1,298,091
Total	$	6,431,814		$	80,488		$	22,863		$	17,059	$	120,410	$	6,552,224
A significant part of managing the Company's finance receivable portfolios includes the assessment of credit risk associated with each borrower. As the credit risk varies between the retail and wholesale portfolios, the Company utilizes different credit risk indicators for each portfolio.
The Company manages retail credit risk through its credit approval policy and ongoing collection efforts. The Company uses FICO scores, a standard credit rating measurement, to differentiate the expected default rates of retail credit applicants enabling the Company to better evaluate credit applicants for approval and to tailor pricing according to this assessment. Retail loans with a FICO score of 640 or above at origination are considered prime, and loans with a FICO score below 640 are considered sub-prime. These credit quality indicators are determined at the time of loan origination and are not updated subsequent to the loan origination date.
The recorded investment of retail finance receivables, by credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
	29-Mar-15			31-Dec-14			30-Mar-14
Prime	$	4,400,440		$	4,435,352		$	4,128,996
Sub-prime	1,176,118			1,172,572			1,125,137
Total	$	5,576,558		$	5,607,924		$	5,254,133
The Company's credit risk on the wholesale portfolio is different from that of the retail portfolio. Whereas the retail portfolio represents a relatively homogeneous pool of retail finance receivables that exhibit more consistent loss patterns, the wholesale portfolio exposures are less consistent. The Company utilizes an internal credit risk rating system to manage credit risk exposure consistently across wholesale borrowers and individually evaluates credit risk factors for each borrower.
The Company uses the following internal credit quality indicators, based on an internal risk rating system, listed from highest level of risk to lowest level of risk for the wholesale portfolio: Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention, Medium Risk and Low Risk. Based upon management’s review, the dealers classified in the Doubtful category are the dealers with the greatest likelihood of being charged off, while the dealers classified as Low Risk are least likely to be charged off. The internal rating system considers factors such as the specific borrowers’ ability to repay and the estimated value of any collateral. Dealer risk rating classifications are reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis.
The recorded investment of wholesale finance receivables, by internal credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
	29-Mar-15			31-Dec-14			30-Mar-14
Doubtful	$	1,523		$	954		$	5,508
Substandard	21,854			7,025			3,888
Special Mention	—			—			10,950
Medium Risk	19,634			11,557			11,103
Low Risk	1,361,843			932,785			1,266,642
Total	$	1,404,854		$	952,321		$	1,298,091

AssetBacked_Financing

Asset-Backed Financing	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Secured Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Asset-Backed Financing
	The Company participates in asset-backed financing through both term asset-backed securitization transactions and through asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. The Company treats these transactions as secured borrowings because either they are transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) or the Company maintains effective control over the assets and does not meet the accounting sale requirements under ASC Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing" (ASC Topic 860). In the Company's asset-backed financing programs, the Company transfers retail motorcycle finance receivables to special purpose entities (SPE), which are considered VIEs under U.S. GAAP. Each SPE then converts those assets into cash, through the issuance of debt.
	The Company is required to consolidate any VIE in which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary through having power over the significant activities of the entity and having an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which are potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is considered to have the power over the significant activities of its term asset-backed securitization and asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility VIEs due to its role as servicer. Servicing fees are typically not considered potentially significant variable interests in a VIE. However, the Company retains a residual interest in the VIEs in the form of a debt security, which gives the Company the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company is the primary beneficiary and consolidates all of these VIEs within its consolidated financial statements.
	The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility VIE; therefore, the Company does not consolidate this VIE. However, the Company treats the conduit facility as a secured borrowing as it maintains effective control over the assets transferred to the VIE and therefore does not meet the requirements for sale accounting under ASC Topic 860. As such, the Company retains the transferred assets and the related debt within its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Servicing fees paid by VIEs to the Company are eliminated in consolidation and therefore are not recorded on a consolidated basis. The Company is not required, and does not currently intend, to provide any additional financial support to its VIEs. Investors and creditors only have recourse to the assets held by the VIEs.
	The following table shows the assets and liabilities related to the asset-backed financings that were included in the financial statements (in thousands):
		March 29, 2015
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,919,723			$	(43,128	)		$	138,574			$	3,443	$	2,018,612	$	1,770,777
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				311		311		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	169,278				(2,999		)		12,057				398		178,734		154,035
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	2,089,001			$	(46,127	)		$	150,631			$	4,152	$	2,197,657	$	1,924,812
		December 31, 2014
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,458,602			$	(32,156	)		$	110,017			$	2,987	$	1,539,450	$	1,271,533
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				422		422		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	185,099				(2,965		)		12,035				262		194,431		166,912
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,643,701			$	(35,121	)		$	122,052			$	3,671	$	1,734,303	$	1,438,445
		March 30, 2014
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,221,855			$	(24,998	)		$	105,536			$	3,083	$	1,305,476	$	1,096,633
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				304		304		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	200,147				(3,257		)		12,347				238		209,475		164,704
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,422,002			$	(28,255	)		$	117,883			$	3,625	$	1,515,255	$	1,261,337
	Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs
	The Company transfers U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to SPEs which in turn issue secured notes to investors, with various maturities and interest rates, secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. Each term asset-backed securitization SPE is a separate legal entity and the U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the term asset-backed securitizations are only available for payment of the secured debt and other obligations arising from the term asset-backed securitization transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors until the associated secured debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the SPEs are used only to support the securitizations. There are no amortization schedules for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes’ contractual lives have various maturities ranging from 2015 to 2022.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $700.0 million of secured notes through one term asset-backed securitization transaction. There were no term asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2014.
	Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE
	In September 2014, the Company amended and restated its facility (U.S. Conduit) with a third-party bank sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit, which provides for a total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million based on, among other things, the amount of eligible U.S. retail motorcycle loans held by a SPE as collateral. Under the facility, the Company may transfer U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to a SPE, which in turn may issue debt to third-party bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduits.
	The assets of the SPE are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt or other obligations arising in the transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal generally based on prevailing commercial paper rates plus a program fee based on outstanding principal, or LIBOR plus a specified margin to the extent the advance is not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The U.S. Conduit also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, the U.S. Conduit has an expiration date of October 30, 2015.
	The SPE had no borrowings outstanding under the U.S. Conduit at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 or March 30, 2014; therefore, U.S. Conduit assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of fees associated with the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment.
	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility
	In June 2014, the Company amended its facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$200.0 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$200.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, the Canadian Conduit has an expiration date of June 30, 2015. The contractual maturity of the debt is approximately 5 years.
	As the Company participates in and does not consolidate the Canadian bank-sponsored, multi-seller conduit VIE, the maximum exposure to loss associated with this VIE, which would only be incurred in the unlikely event that all the finance receivables and underlying collateral have no residual value, was $24.7 million at March 29, 2015. The maximum exposure is not an indication of the Company's expected loss exposure.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company transferred $19.2 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $16.8 million. During the first quarter of 2014, HDFS transferred $15.7 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $13.8 million.
	Debt
	Debt with contractual terms less than one year is generally classified as short-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 29,				December 31,				March 30,
			2015				2014				2014
	Unsecured commercial paper		$	70,329			$	731,786			$	974,153
	Debt with a contractual term greater than one year is generally classified as long-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 29,				December 31,				March 30,
			2015				2014				2014
	Secured debt
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility		$	154,035			$	166,912			$	164,704
	Term asset-backed securitization debt		1,770,777				1,271,533				1,096,633
	Unsecured notes
	5.75% Medium-term notes due in 2014 ($500.0 million par value)		—				—				499,906
	1.15% Medium-term notes due in 2015 ($600.0 million par value)		599,886				599,817				599,612
	3.88% Medium-term notes due in 2016 ($450.0 million par value)		449,950				449,937				449,897
	2.70% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)		399,967				399,963				399,950
	1.55% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)		399,510				399,464				—
	6.80% Medium-term notes due in 2018 ($888.0 million par value)		887,424				887,381				909,786
	2.40% Medium-term notes due in 2019 ($600.0 million par value)		597,951				597,836				—
	2.15% Medium-term notes due in 2020 ($600.0 million par value)		598,649				—				—
Gross long-term debt		5,858,149				4,772,843				4,120,488
Less: current portion of long-term debt		(1,500,611		)		(1,011,315		)		(848,840		)
Long-term debt		$	4,357,538			$	3,761,528			$	3,271,648
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $700.0 million of secured notes through a term asset-backed securitization transaction. The term asset-backed securitization transactions are further discussed in Note 5. There were no term asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2014.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in February 2020 and have an annual interest rate of 2.15%. There were no medium-term notes issued during the first quarter of 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the financial statements; some of these are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when required by particular events or circumstances. In determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, the Company uses various valuation techniques. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For many financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.
	The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy. The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.
	Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity rates and yield curves. The Company uses the market approach to derive the fair value for its level 2 fair value measurements. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using publicly quoted spot and forward prices; commodity contracts are valued using publicly quoted prices, where available, or dealer quotes; interest rate swaps were valued using publicized swap curves; and investments in marketable securities and cash equivalents are valued using publicly quoted prices.
	Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The use of observable and unobservable inputs is reflected in the hierarchy assessment disclosed in the following tables.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	975,411	$	510,090	$	465,321	$	—
	Marketable securities	94,886		37,667		57,219		—
	Derivatives	49,290		—		49,290		—
		$	1,119,587	$	547,757	$	571,830	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	—	$	1,886	$	—
		31-Dec-14
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	737,024	$	482,686	$	254,338	$	—
	Marketable securities	91,140		33,815		57,325		—
	Derivatives	32,244		—		32,244		—
		$	860,408	$	516,501	$	343,907	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	2,027	$	—	$	2,027	$	—
		March 30, 2014
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	602,421	$	359,438	$	242,983	$	—
	Marketable securities	126,122		33,182		92,940		—
	Derivatives	105		—		105		—
		$	728,648	$	392,620	$	336,028	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	3,681	$	—	$	3,681	$	—
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	Repossessed inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value through a nonrecurring fair value measurement. The nonrecurring fair value measurement represents the loss recognized to adjust the related finance receivable to the fair value of the repossessed inventory. Repossessed inventory was $14.5 million, $13.4 million and $15.2 million at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, for which the fair value adjustment was $3.5 million, $5.0 million and $3.5 million at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, respectively. Fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on the recent market values of repossessed inventory.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade receivables, finance receivables, net, trade payables, debt, and foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts (derivative instruments are discussed further in Note 8).
	The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15				31-Dec-14				30-Mar-14
		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,168,724	$	1,168,724	$	906,680	$	906,680	$	935,820	$	935,820
	Marketable securities	$	94,886	$	94,886	$	91,140	$	91,140	$	126,122	$	126,122
	Derivatives	$	49,290	$	49,290	$	32,244	$	32,244	$	105	$	105
	Finance receivables, net	$	6,927,898	$	6,848,592	$	6,519,500	$	6,432,881	$	6,531,145	$	6,437,695
	Restricted cash	$	150,631	$	150,631	$	122,052	$	122,052	$	117,883	$	117,883
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	1,886	$	2,027	$	2,027	$	3,681	$	3,681
	Unsecured commercial paper	$	70,329	$	70,329	$	731,786	$	731,786	$	974,153	$	974,153
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	$	154,035	$	154,035	$	166,912	$	166,912	$	164,704	$	164,704
	Medium-term notes	$	4,176,254	$	3,933,337	$	3,502,536	$	3,334,398	$	3,060,408	$	2,859,151
Term asset-backed securitization debt	$	1,771,363	$	1,770,777	$	1,270,656	$	1,271,533	$	1,099,596	$	1,096,633
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Accounts Receivable, Net and Accounts Payable – With the exception of certain cash equivalents, the carrying values of these items in the financial statements are based on historical cost. The historical cost basis for these amounts is estimated to approximate their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Marketable Securities – The carrying value of marketable securities in the financial statements is based on fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is determined primarily based on quoted prices for identical instruments or on quoted market prices of similar financial assets. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Finance Receivables, Net – The carrying value of retail and wholesale finance receivables in the financial statements is amortized cost less an allowance for credit losses. The fair value of retail finance receivables is generally calculated by discounting future cash flows using an estimated discount rate that reflects current credit, interest rate and prepayment risks associated with similar types of instruments. Fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs. The amortized cost basis of wholesale finance receivables approximates fair value because they either are short-term or have interest rates that adjust with changes in market interest rates.
Derivatives – Foreign currency exchange contracts and commodity contracts are derivative financial instruments and are carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair value of foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts is determined using publicly quoted prices. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
Debt – The carrying value of debt in the financial statements is generally amortized cost. The carrying value of unsecured commercial paper approximates fair value due to its short maturity. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The carrying value of debt provided under the Canadian Conduit approximates fair value since the interest rates charged under the facility are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair values of the medium-term notes are estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the senior unsecured notes was estimated based upon rates then available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the debt related to term asset-backed securitization transactions is estimated based on pricing currently available for transactions with similar terms and maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value Measurements
	Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the financial statements; some of these are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when required by particular events or circumstances. In determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, the Company uses various valuation techniques. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For many financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.
	The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy. The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.
	Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity rates and yield curves. The Company uses the market approach to derive the fair value for its level 2 fair value measurements. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using publicly quoted spot and forward prices; commodity contracts are valued using publicly quoted prices, where available, or dealer quotes; interest rate swaps were valued using publicized swap curves; and investments in marketable securities and cash equivalents are valued using publicly quoted prices.
	Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The use of observable and unobservable inputs is reflected in the hierarchy assessment disclosed in the following tables.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	975,411	$	510,090	$	465,321	$	—
	Marketable securities	94,886		37,667		57,219		—
	Derivatives	49,290		—		49,290		—
		$	1,119,587	$	547,757	$	571,830	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	—	$	1,886	$	—
		31-Dec-14
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	737,024	$	482,686	$	254,338	$	—
	Marketable securities	91,140		33,815		57,325		—
	Derivatives	32,244		—		32,244		—
		$	860,408	$	516,501	$	343,907	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	2,027	$	—	$	2,027	$	—
		March 30, 2014
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	602,421	$	359,438	$	242,983	$	—
	Marketable securities	126,122		33,182		92,940		—
	Derivatives	105		—		105		—
		$	728,648	$	392,620	$	336,028	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	3,681	$	—	$	3,681	$	—
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	Repossessed inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value through a nonrecurring fair value measurement. The nonrecurring fair value measurement represents the loss recognized to adjust the related finance receivable to the fair value of the repossessed inventory. Repossessed inventory was $14.5 million, $13.4 million and $15.2 million at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, for which the fair value adjustment was $3.5 million, $5.0 million and $3.5 million at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, respectively. Fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on the recent market values of repossessed inventory.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade receivables, finance receivables, net, trade payables, debt, and foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts (derivative instruments are discussed further in Note 8).
	The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15				31-Dec-14				30-Mar-14
		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,168,724	$	1,168,724	$	906,680	$	906,680	$	935,820	$	935,820
	Marketable securities	$	94,886	$	94,886	$	91,140	$	91,140	$	126,122	$	126,122
	Derivatives	$	49,290	$	49,290	$	32,244	$	32,244	$	105	$	105
	Finance receivables, net	$	6,927,898	$	6,848,592	$	6,519,500	$	6,432,881	$	6,531,145	$	6,437,695
	Restricted cash	$	150,631	$	150,631	$	122,052	$	122,052	$	117,883	$	117,883
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	1,886	$	2,027	$	2,027	$	3,681	$	3,681
	Unsecured commercial paper	$	70,329	$	70,329	$	731,786	$	731,786	$	974,153	$	974,153
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	$	154,035	$	154,035	$	166,912	$	166,912	$	164,704	$	164,704
	Medium-term notes	$	4,176,254	$	3,933,337	$	3,502,536	$	3,334,398	$	3,060,408	$	2,859,151
Term asset-backed securitization debt	$	1,771,363	$	1,770,777	$	1,270,656	$	1,271,533	$	1,099,596	$	1,096,633
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Accounts Receivable, Net and Accounts Payable – With the exception of certain cash equivalents, the carrying values of these items in the financial statements are based on historical cost. The historical cost basis for these amounts is estimated to approximate their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Marketable Securities – The carrying value of marketable securities in the financial statements is based on fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is determined primarily based on quoted prices for identical instruments or on quoted market prices of similar financial assets. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Finance Receivables, Net – The carrying value of retail and wholesale finance receivables in the financial statements is amortized cost less an allowance for credit losses. The fair value of retail finance receivables is generally calculated by discounting future cash flows using an estimated discount rate that reflects current credit, interest rate and prepayment risks associated with similar types of instruments. Fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs. The amortized cost basis of wholesale finance receivables approximates fair value because they either are short-term or have interest rates that adjust with changes in market interest rates.
Derivatives – Foreign currency exchange contracts and commodity contracts are derivative financial instruments and are carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair value of foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts is determined using publicly quoted prices. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
Debt – The carrying value of debt in the financial statements is generally amortized cost. The carrying value of unsecured commercial paper approximates fair value due to its short maturity. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The carrying value of debt provided under the Canadian Conduit approximates fair value since the interest rates charged under the facility are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair values of the medium-term notes are estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the senior unsecured notes was estimated based upon rates then available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the debt related to term asset-backed securitization transactions is estimated based on pricing currently available for transactions with similar terms and maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company is exposed to certain risks such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk. To reduce its exposure to such risks, the Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments. All derivative transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures, which prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
	All derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value (see Note 6). In accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges, along with the gain or loss on the hedged item, are recorded in current period earnings. For derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments is initially recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item affects income. The Company assesses, both at the inception of each hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in its hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. Any ineffective portion is immediately recognized in earnings. No component of a hedging derivative instrument’s gain or loss is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded at fair value, and any changes in fair value are recorded in current period earnings.
	The Company sells its products internationally and in most markets those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, the Company’s earnings can be affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currency. The Company’s most significant foreign currency risk relates to the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Brazilian real. The Company utilizes foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the effects of these currencies’ fluctuations on earnings. The foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into with banks and allow the Company to exchange a specified amount of foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a future date, based on a fixed exchange rate.
	The Company utilizes commodity contracts to hedge portions of the cost of certain commodities consumed in the Company’s motorcycle production and distribution operations.
	The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts and commodity contracts generally have maturities of less than one year.
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15									31-Dec-14						30-Mar-14
	Derivatives Designated As Hedging	Notional			Asset			Liability			Notional		Asset		Liability		Notional		Asset		Liability
	Instruments Under ASC Topic 815	Value			Fair  Value(a)			Fair  Value(b)			Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)		Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)
	Foreign currency contracts(c)	$	416,844		$	49,290		$	12		$	339,077	$	32,244	$	—	$	269,342	$	5	$	3,589
	Commodity	1,432			—			220			1,728		—		414		1,167		94		—
	contracts(c)
	Total	$	418,276		$	49,290		$	232		$	340,805	$	32,244	$	414	$	270,509	$	99	$	3,589
		March 29, 2015									December 31, 2014						March 30, 2014
	Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging	Notional			Asset			Liability			Notional		Asset		Liability		Notional		Asset		Liability
	Instruments Under ASC Topic 815	Value			Fair  Value(a)			Fair  Value(b)			Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)		Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)
	Commodity contracts	$	11,358		$	—		$	1,654		$	11,804	$	—	$	1,613	$	9,348	$	6	$	92
		$	11,358		$	—		$	1,654		$	11,804	$	—	$	1,613	$	9,348	$	6	$	92
	(a)	Included in other current assets
	(b)	Included in accrued liabilities
	(c)	Derivative designated as a cash flow hedge
	The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax
		Three months ended
	Cash Flow Hedges	March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Foreign currency contracts	$	32,668		$	(1,438	)
	Commodity contracts	(120		)	215
	Total	$	32,548		$	(1,223	)
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
		Three months ended						Expected to be Reclassified
	Cash Flow Hedges	March 29,			March 30,			Over the Next Twelve Months
		2015			2014
	Foreign currency contracts(a)	$	15,276		$	(1,058	)	$	48,050
	Commodity contracts(a)	(315		)	196			(220		)
	Total	$	14,961		$	(862	)	$	47,830
	(a)	Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to income is included in cost of goods sold.
	The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments (in thousands):
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
		Three months ended
	Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges	March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts(a)	$	(540	)	$	(328	)
	Total	$	(540	)	$	(328	)
	(a)	Gain/(loss) recognized in income is included in cost of goods sold.
	For the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, the cash flow hedges were highly effective and, as a result, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not material. No amounts were excluded from effectiveness testing.
	The Company is exposed to credit loss risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these derivative financial instruments. Although no assurances can be given, the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to these derivative financial instruments to fail to meet its obligations. To manage credit loss risk, the Company evaluates counterparties based on credit ratings and, on a quarterly basis, evaluates each hedge’s net position relative to the counterparty’s ability to cover its position.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following tables set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) (in thousands):
			Three months ended March 29, 2015
			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Marketable securities			Derivative financial instruments			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Total
	Balance, beginning of period		$	(3,482	)	$	(700	)	$	19,042		$	(529,803	)	$	(514,943	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(29,991		)	(106		)	32,548			—			2,451
	Income tax		2,970			39			(12,057		)	—			(9,048		)
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(27,021		)	(67		)	20,491			—			(6,597		)
	Reclassifications:
	Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)		—			—			(15,276		)	—			(15,276		)
	Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)		—			—			315			—			315
	Prior service credits(b)		—			—			—			(695		)	(695		)
	Actuarial losses(b)		—			—			—			14,670			14,670
	Total before tax		—			—			(14,961		)	13,975			(986		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)		—			—			5,542			(5,177		)	365
	Net reclassifications		—			—			(9,419		)	8,798			(621		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income		(27,021		)	(67		)	11,072			8,798			(7,218		)
	Balance, end of period		$	(30,503	)	$	(767	)	$	30,114		$	(521,005	)	$	(522,161	)
			Three months ended March 30, 2014
			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Marketable securities			Derivative financial instruments			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Total
	Balance, beginning of period		$	33,326		$	(276	)	$	(1,680	)	$	(364,046	)	$	(332,676	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,755			(67		)	(1,223		)	—			465
	Income tax		1,193			25			453			—			1,671
	Net other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		2,948			(42		)	(770		)	—			2,136
	Reclassifications:
	Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)		—			—			1,058			—			1,058
	Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)		—			—			(196		)	—			(196		)
	Prior service credits(b)		—			—			—			(684		)	(684		)
	Actuarial losses(b)		—			—			—			10,322			10,322
	Total before tax		—			—			862			9,638			10,500
	Income tax benefit		—			—			(319		)	(3,570		)	(3,889		)
	Net reclassifications		—			—			543			6,068			6,611
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,948			(42		)	(227		)	6,068			8,747
	Balance, end of period		$	36,274		$	(318	)	$	(1,907	)	$	(357,978	)	$	(323,929	)
	(a)	Amounts reclassified to net income are included in Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold.
	(b)	Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic period cost. See Note 14 for information related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.

Debt_Debt

Debt Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Asset-Backed Financing
	The Company participates in asset-backed financing through both term asset-backed securitization transactions and through asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. The Company treats these transactions as secured borrowings because either they are transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) or the Company maintains effective control over the assets and does not meet the accounting sale requirements under ASC Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing" (ASC Topic 860). In the Company's asset-backed financing programs, the Company transfers retail motorcycle finance receivables to special purpose entities (SPE), which are considered VIEs under U.S. GAAP. Each SPE then converts those assets into cash, through the issuance of debt.
	The Company is required to consolidate any VIE in which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary through having power over the significant activities of the entity and having an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which are potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is considered to have the power over the significant activities of its term asset-backed securitization and asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility VIEs due to its role as servicer. Servicing fees are typically not considered potentially significant variable interests in a VIE. However, the Company retains a residual interest in the VIEs in the form of a debt security, which gives the Company the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company is the primary beneficiary and consolidates all of these VIEs within its consolidated financial statements.
	The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility VIE; therefore, the Company does not consolidate this VIE. However, the Company treats the conduit facility as a secured borrowing as it maintains effective control over the assets transferred to the VIE and therefore does not meet the requirements for sale accounting under ASC Topic 860. As such, the Company retains the transferred assets and the related debt within its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Servicing fees paid by VIEs to the Company are eliminated in consolidation and therefore are not recorded on a consolidated basis. The Company is not required, and does not currently intend, to provide any additional financial support to its VIEs. Investors and creditors only have recourse to the assets held by the VIEs.
	The following table shows the assets and liabilities related to the asset-backed financings that were included in the financial statements (in thousands):
		March 29, 2015
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,919,723			$	(43,128	)		$	138,574			$	3,443	$	2,018,612	$	1,770,777
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				311		311		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	169,278				(2,999		)		12,057				398		178,734		154,035
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	2,089,001			$	(46,127	)		$	150,631			$	4,152	$	2,197,657	$	1,924,812
		December 31, 2014
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,458,602			$	(32,156	)		$	110,017			$	2,987	$	1,539,450	$	1,271,533
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				422		422		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	185,099				(2,965		)		12,035				262		194,431		166,912
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,643,701			$	(35,121	)		$	122,052			$	3,671	$	1,734,303	$	1,438,445
		March 30, 2014
		Finance receivables				Allowance for credit losses				Restricted cash				Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,221,855			$	(24,998	)		$	105,536			$	3,083	$	1,305,476	$	1,096,633
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—				—				—				304		304		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	200,147				(3,257		)		12,347				238		209,475		164,704
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,422,002			$	(28,255	)		$	117,883			$	3,625	$	1,515,255	$	1,261,337
	Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs
	The Company transfers U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to SPEs which in turn issue secured notes to investors, with various maturities and interest rates, secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. Each term asset-backed securitization SPE is a separate legal entity and the U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the term asset-backed securitizations are only available for payment of the secured debt and other obligations arising from the term asset-backed securitization transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors until the associated secured debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the SPEs are used only to support the securitizations. There are no amortization schedules for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes’ contractual lives have various maturities ranging from 2015 to 2022.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $700.0 million of secured notes through one term asset-backed securitization transaction. There were no term asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2014.
	Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE
	In September 2014, the Company amended and restated its facility (U.S. Conduit) with a third-party bank sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit, which provides for a total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million based on, among other things, the amount of eligible U.S. retail motorcycle loans held by a SPE as collateral. Under the facility, the Company may transfer U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to a SPE, which in turn may issue debt to third-party bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduits.
	The assets of the SPE are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt or other obligations arising in the transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal generally based on prevailing commercial paper rates plus a program fee based on outstanding principal, or LIBOR plus a specified margin to the extent the advance is not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The U.S. Conduit also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, the U.S. Conduit has an expiration date of October 30, 2015.
	The SPE had no borrowings outstanding under the U.S. Conduit at March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 or March 30, 2014; therefore, U.S. Conduit assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of fees associated with the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment.
	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility
	In June 2014, the Company amended its facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$200.0 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$200.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, the Canadian Conduit has an expiration date of June 30, 2015. The contractual maturity of the debt is approximately 5 years.
	As the Company participates in and does not consolidate the Canadian bank-sponsored, multi-seller conduit VIE, the maximum exposure to loss associated with this VIE, which would only be incurred in the unlikely event that all the finance receivables and underlying collateral have no residual value, was $24.7 million at March 29, 2015. The maximum exposure is not an indication of the Company's expected loss exposure.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company transferred $19.2 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $16.8 million. During the first quarter of 2014, HDFS transferred $15.7 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $13.8 million.
	Debt
	Debt with contractual terms less than one year is generally classified as short-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 29,				December 31,				March 30,
			2015				2014				2014
	Unsecured commercial paper		$	70,329			$	731,786			$	974,153
	Debt with a contractual term greater than one year is generally classified as long-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 29,				December 31,				March 30,
			2015				2014				2014
	Secured debt
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility		$	154,035			$	166,912			$	164,704
	Term asset-backed securitization debt		1,770,777				1,271,533				1,096,633
	Unsecured notes
	5.75% Medium-term notes due in 2014 ($500.0 million par value)		—				—				499,906
	1.15% Medium-term notes due in 2015 ($600.0 million par value)		599,886				599,817				599,612
	3.88% Medium-term notes due in 2016 ($450.0 million par value)		449,950				449,937				449,897
	2.70% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)		399,967				399,963				399,950
	1.55% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)		399,510				399,464				—
	6.80% Medium-term notes due in 2018 ($888.0 million par value)		887,424				887,381				909,786
	2.40% Medium-term notes due in 2019 ($600.0 million par value)		597,951				597,836				—
	2.15% Medium-term notes due in 2020 ($600.0 million par value)		598,649				—				—
Gross long-term debt		5,858,149				4,772,843				4,120,488
Less: current portion of long-term debt		(1,500,611		)		(1,011,315		)		(848,840		)
Long-term debt		$	4,357,538			$	3,761,528			$	3,271,648
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $700.0 million of secured notes through a term asset-backed securitization transaction. The term asset-backed securitization transactions are further discussed in Note 5. There were no term asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2014.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in February 2020 and have an annual interest rate of 2.15%. There were no medium-term notes issued during the first quarter of 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company’s 2015 income tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2015 was 34.4% compared to 35.0% for the same period last year.

Product_Warranty_and_Safety_Re

Product Warranty and Safety Recall Campaigns	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty and Safety Recall Campaigns	Product Warranty and Recall Campaigns
	The Company currently provides a standard two-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold worldwide, except for Japan, where the Company currently provides a standard three-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold. In addition, the Company provides a one-year warranty for Parts & Accessories (P&A). The warranty coverage for the retail customer generally begins when the product is sold to a retail customer. The Company maintains reserves for future warranty claims using an estimated cost, which is based primarily on historical Company claim information. Additionally, the Company has from time to time initiated certain voluntary recall campaigns. The Company reserves for all estimated costs associated with recalls in the period that the recalls are announced.
	Changes in the Company’s warranty and recall liability were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Balance, beginning of period	$	69,250		$	64,120
	Warranties issued during the period	15,111			17,362
	Settlements made during the period	(13,565		)	(11,573		)
	Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities	277			(573		)
	Balance, end of period	$	71,073		$	69,336
	The liability for recall campaigns was $7.7 million, $9.8 million and $3.3 million as of March 29, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 30, 2014, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share	$	269,854	$	265,917
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average common shares	210,629		218,986
	Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock compensation plan	1,159		1,507
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	211,788		220,493
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	1.28	$	1.21
	Diluted	$	1.27	$	1.21
	Outstanding options to purchase 0.7 million and 0.6 million shares of common stock for the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively, were not included in the Company’s computation of dilutive securities because the exercise price was greater than the market price and therefore the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	The Company has a share-based compensation plan under which employees may be granted share-based awards including shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs). Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on unvested shares of restricted stock and non-forfeitable dividend equivalents are paid on unvested RSUs. As such, shares of restricted stock and RSUs are considered participating securities under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share as described in ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” The two-class method of calculating earnings per share did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculation for the three month periods ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has a defined benefit pension plan and postretirement healthcare benefit plans that cover certain employees of the Motorcycles segment. The Company also has unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan agreements (SERPA) with certain employees which were instituted to replace benefits lost under the Tax Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. Net periodic benefit costs are allocated among selling, administrative and engineering expense, cost of goods sold and inventory. Amounts capitalized in inventory are not significant. Components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Pension and SERPA Benefits
	Service cost	$	10,010		$	7,874
	Interest cost	21,836			21,731
	Expected return on plan assets	(36,232		)	(34,184		)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost	109			279
	Net loss	13,677			9,140
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	9,400		$	4,840
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
	Service cost	$	2,065		$	1,754
	Interest cost	3,541			4,220
	Expected return on plan assets	(2,877		)	(2,607		)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service credit	(804		)	(963		)
	Net loss	993			1,182
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,918		$	3,586
	No pension contributions to qualified plans are required in 2015. The Company expects it will continue to make on-going contributions related to current benefit payments for SERPA and postretirement healthcare plans.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments
	Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The Company operates in two segments: the Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services segment. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. Selected segment information is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Motorcycles net revenue	$	1,510,570	$	1,571,688
	Gross profit	590,275		592,131
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	244,821		244,439
	Operating income from Motorcycles	345,454		347,692
	Financial Services revenue	162,375		154,360
	Financial Services expense	97,711		91,170
	Operating income from Financial Services	64,664		63,190
	Operating income	$	410,118	$	410,882

Commitment_and_Contingencies

Commitment and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitment and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. The required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.
	Environmental Protection Agency Notice
	In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in discussions with the EPA. Since that time, the EPA has delivered various additional requests for information to which the Company has responded. It is probable that a result of the EPA’s investigation will be some form of enforcement action by the EPA that will seek a fine and/or other relief. The Company has a reserve associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, given the uncertainty that still exists concerning the resolution of this matter, there is a possibility that the actual loss incurred may be materially different than the Company’s current reserve. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter, if any.
	York Environmental Matters:
	The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties in various environmental matters, including a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including an ongoing site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS). In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste.
	The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of future costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
	The Company has a reserve for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As noted above, the RI/FS is still underway and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental investigation and remediation that may ultimately be required under the RI/FS or otherwise at the York facility, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.
	The estimate of the Company’s future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities. Response Costs are expected to be paid primarily over a period of several years ending in 2017 although certain Response Costs may continue for some time beyond 2017.
	Product Liability Matters:
	The Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability suits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental_Consolidating_Dat

Supplemental Consolidating Data	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Consolidating Data	Supplemental Consolidating Data
	The supplemental consolidating data for the periods noted is presented for informational purposes. The supplemental consolidating data may be different than segment information presented elsewhere due to the allocation of intercompany eliminations to reporting segments. All supplemental data is presented in thousands.
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	Revenue:
	Motorcycles and Related Products	$	1,512,882		$	—		$	(2,312	)	$	1,510,570
	Financial Services	—			162,690			(315		)	162,375
	Total revenue	1,512,882			162,690			(2,627		)	1,672,945
	Costs and expenses:
	Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	920,295			—			—			920,295
	Financial Services interest expense	—			38,536			—			38,536
	Financial Services provision for credit losses	—			26,247			—			26,247
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	245,135			35,241			(2,627		)	277,749
	Total costs and expenses	1,165,430			100,024			(2,627		)	1,262,827
	Operating income	347,452			62,666			—			410,118
	Investment income	101,322			—			(100,000		)	1,322
	Interest expense	9			—			—			9
	Income before provision for income taxes	448,765			62,666			(100,000		)	411,431
	Provision for income taxes	121,516			20,061			—			141,577
	Net income	$	327,249		$	42,605		$	(100,000	)	$	269,854
		Three months ended March 30, 2014
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	Revenue:
	Motorcycles and Related Products	$	1,573,967		$	—		$	(2,279	)	$	1,571,688
	Financial Services	—			154,686			(326		)	154,360
	Total revenue	1,573,967			154,686			(2,605		)	1,726,048
	Costs and expenses:
	Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	979,557			—			—			979,557
	Financial Services interest expense	—			38,857			—			38,857
	Financial Services provision for credit losses	—			20,331			—			20,331
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	244,765			34,261			(2,605		)	276,421
	Total costs and expenses	1,224,322			93,449			(2,605		)	1,315,166
	Operating income	349,645			61,237			—			410,882
	Investment income	121,659			—			(120,000		)	1,659
	Interest expense	3,677			—			—			3,677
	Income before provision for income taxes	467,627			61,237			(120,000		)	408,864
	Provision for income taxes	120,573			22,374			—			142,947
	Net income	$	347,054		$	38,863		$	(120,000	)	$	265,917
		29-Mar-15
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	764,175		$	404,549		$	—		$	1,168,724
	Marketable securities	57,219			—			—			57,219
	Accounts receivable, net	784,268			—			(503,771		)	280,497
	Finance receivables, net	—			2,357,993			—			2,357,993
	Inventories	480,941			—			—			480,941
	Restricted cash	—			120,428			—			120,428
	Deferred income taxes	42,819			40,700			—			83,519
	Other current assets	128,579			35,905			—			164,484
	Total current assets	2,258,001			2,959,575			(503,771		)	4,713,805
	Finance receivables, net	—			4,490,599			—			4,490,599
	Property, plant and equipment, net	840,354			33,164			—			873,518
	Goodwill	25,632			—			—			25,632
	Deferred income taxes	62,826			10,808			(1,458		)	72,176
	Other long-term assets	117,760			48,943			(78,609		)	88,094
		$	3,304,573		$	7,543,089		$	(583,838	)	$	10,263,824
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	369,143		$	575,548		$	(503,771	)	$	440,920
	Accrued liabilities	398,922			99,563			(1,458		)	497,027
Short-term debt	—			70,329			—			70,329
Current portion of long-term debt	—			1,500,611			—			1,500,611
Total current liabilities	768,065			2,246,051			(505,229		)	2,508,887
Long-term debt	—			4,357,538			—			4,357,538
Pension liability	71,263			—			—			71,263
Postretirement healthcare benefits	199,645			—			—			199,645
Other long-term liabilities	164,993			25,658			—			190,651
Shareholders’ equity	2,100,607			913,842			(78,609		)	2,935,840
	$	3,304,573		$	7,543,089		$	(583,838	)	$	10,263,824
	31-Dec-14
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	573,895		$	332,785		$	—		$	906,680
Marketable securities	57,325			—			—			57,325
Accounts receivable, net	658,735			—			(411,114		)	247,621
Finance receivables, net	—			1,916,635			—			1,916,635
Inventories	448,871			—			—			448,871
Restricted cash	—			98,627			—			98,627
Deferred income taxes	50,015			39,901			—			89,916
Other current assets	142,278			43,125			(2,983		)	182,420
Total current assets	1,931,119			2,431,073			(414,097		)	3,948,095
Finance receivables, net	—			4,516,246			—			4,516,246
Property, plant and equipment, net	848,661			34,416			—			883,077
Goodwill	27,752			—			—			27,752
Deferred income taxes	75,121			4,863			(2,149		)	77,835
Other long-term assets	113,727			39,309			(77,944		)	75,092
	$	2,996,380		$	7,025,907		$	(494,190	)	$	9,528,097
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	171,098		$	436,884		$	(411,114	)	$	196,868
Accrued liabilities	370,652			83,797			(5,132		)	449,317
Short-term debt	—			731,786			—			731,786
Current portion of long-term debt	—			1,011,315			—			1,011,315
Total current liabilities	541,750			2,263,782			(416,246		)	2,389,286
Long-term debt	—			3,761,528			—			3,761,528
Pension liability	76,186			—			—			76,186
Postretirement healthcare benefits	203,006			—			—			203,006
Other long-term liabilities	164,060			24,745			—			188,805
Shareholders’ equity	2,011,378			975,852			(77,944		)	2,909,286
	$	2,996,380		$	7,025,907		$	(494,190	)	$	9,528,097
	30-Mar-14
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	548,292		$	387,528		$	—		$	935,820
Marketable securities	92,940			—			—			92,940
Accounts receivable, net	1,240,820			—			(915,841		)	324,979
Finance receivables, net	—			2,223,199			—			2,223,199
Inventories	449,044			—			—			449,044
Restricted cash	—			117,883			—			117,883
Other current assets	146,994			69,612			—			216,606
Total current assets	2,478,090			2,798,222			(915,841		)	4,360,471
Finance receivables, net	—			4,214,496			—			4,214,496
Property, plant and equipment, net	789,194			33,867			—			823,061
Prepaid pension costs	250,575			—			—			250,575
Goodwill	30,427			—			—			30,427
Deferred income taxes	3,023			—			—			3,023
Other long-term assets	110,763			12,743			(75,768		)	47,738
	$	3,662,072		$	7,059,328		$	(991,609	)	$	9,729,791
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	377,780		$	992,427		$	(915,841	)	$	454,366
Accrued liabilities	466,685			101,807			(1,737		)	566,755
Short-term debt	—			974,153			—			974,153
Current portion of long-term debt	—			848,840			—			848,840
Total current liabilities	844,465			2,917,227			(917,578		)	2,844,114
Long-term debt	—			3,271,648			—			3,271,648
Pension liability	37,261			—			—			37,261
Postretirement healthcare liability	212,887			—			—			212,887
Deferred income taxes	31,864			2,372			1,737			35,973
Other long-term liabilities	146,641			21,432			—			168,073
Shareholders’ equity	2,388,954			846,649			(75,768		)	3,159,835
	$	3,662,072		$	7,059,328		$	(991,609	)	$	9,729,791
	Three months ended March 29, 2015
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	327,249		$	42,605		$	(100,000	)	$	269,854
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	43,947			2,081			—			46,028
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	—			22,932			—			22,932
Amortization of financing origination fees	—			2,215			—			2,215
Provision for employee long-term benefits	12,318			—			—			12,318
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,627		)	—			—			(6,627		)
Stock compensation expense	7,381			665			—			8,046
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	—			—			(465,598		)	(465,598		)
Provision for credit losses	—			26,247			—			26,247
Deferred income taxes	6,594			(3,774		)	—			2,820
Foreign currency adjustments	18,154			—			—			18,154
Other, net	(1,893		)	(614		)	—			(2,507		)
Change in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(392,593		)	—			342,657			(49,936		)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	—			2,067			—			2,067
Inventories	(51,934		)	—			—			(51,934		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	241,052			406,607			(342,557		)	305,102
Derivative instruments	399			—			—			399
Other	27,082			8,038			—			35,120
Total adjustments	(96,120		)	466,464			(465,498		)	(95,154		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	231,129			509,069			(565,498		)	174,700
	Three months ended March 29, 2015
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(37,240		)	(829		)	—			(38,069		)
Origination of finance receivables	—			(2,008,170		)	1,255,766			(752,404		)
Collections of finance receivables	—			1,519,934			(790,268		)	729,666
Other	9			—			—			9
Net cash used by investing activities	(37,231		)	(489,065		)	465,498			(60,798		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes	—			595,386			—			595,386
Intercompany borrowing activity	250,000			(250,000		)	—			—
Proceeds from securitization debt	—			697,591			—			697,591
Repayments of securitization debt	—			(200,695		)	—			(200,695		)
Net decrease in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper	—			(661,241		)	—			(661,241		)
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	—			16,798			—			16,798
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	—			(15,744		)	—			(15,744		)
Net change in restricted cash	—			(28,579		)	—			(28,579		)
Dividends paid	(65,467		)	(100,000		)	100,000			(65,467		)
Purchase of common stock for treasury	(192,700		)	—			—			(192,700		)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	2,207			—			—			2,207
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605			—			—			9,605
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,645			53,516			100,000			157,161
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7,263		)	(1,756		)	—			(9,019		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	190,280		$	71,764		$	—		$	262,044
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	$	573,895		$	332,785		$	—		$	906,680
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	190,280			71,764			—			262,044
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	764,175		$	404,549		$	—		$	1,168,724
	Three months ended March 30, 2014
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	347,054		$	38,863		$	(120,000	)	$	265,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	41,603			1,795			—			43,398
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	—			22,101			—			22,101
Amortization of financing origination fees	59			2,026			—			2,085
Provision for employee long-term benefits	8,425			—			—			8,425
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,879		)	—			—			(6,879		)
Stock compensation expense	8,550			689			—			9,239
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	—			—			(439,422		)	(439,422		)
Provision for credit losses	—			20,331			—			20,331
Deferred income taxes	3,159			(3,633		)	—			(474		)
Foreign currency adjustments	(4,172		)	—			—			(4,172		)
Other, net	(496		)	3,551			—			3,055
Change in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(387,875		)	—			326,658			(61,217		)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	—			793			—			793
Inventories	(20,317		)	—			—			(20,317		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	290,208			392,880			(326,658		)	356,430
Derivative instruments	1,222			—			—			1,222
Other	1,770			1,301			—			3,071
Total adjustments	(64,743		)	441,834			(439,422		)	(62,331		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	282,311			480,697			(559,422		)	203,586
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(24,691		)	(1,190		)	—			(25,881		)
Origination of finance receivables	—			(1,992,601		)	1,234,636			(757,965		)
Collections of finance receivables	—			1,502,645			(795,214		)	707,431
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities	6,001			—			—			6,001
Other	51			—			—			51
Net cash used by investing activities	(18,639		)	(491,146		)	439,422			(70,363		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	(303,000		)	—			—			(303,000		)
Repayments of securitization debt	—			(159,938		)	—			(159,938		)
Net increase in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper	—			307,803			—			307,803
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	—			13,746			—			13,746
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	—			(16,981		)	—			(16,981		)
Net change in restricted cash	—			26,924			—			26,924
Dividends paid	(60,527		)	(120,000		)	120,000			(60,527		)
Purchase of common stock for treasury	(87,690		)	—			—			(87,690		)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	4,763			—			—			4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	8,894			—			—			8,894
Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities	(437,560		)	51,554			120,000			(266,006		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,268			(1,277		)	—			1,991
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(170,620	)	$	39,828		$	—		$	(130,792	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	$	718,912		$	347,700		$	—		$	1,066,612
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(170,620		)	39,828			—			(130,792		)
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	548,292		$	387,528		$	—		$	935,820

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events
	On April 30, 2015, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Fred Deeley Imports, Ltd. (“Deeley Imports”) and certain of its affiliates involving, among other things, the Company’s acquisition of the benefit of the exclusive right to distribute the Company’s motorcycles and other products in Canada (the “Transaction”). The consummation of the Transaction (the “Closing”) is expected to occur on or about August 4, 2015, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.
	Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, upon the Closing, the Company will acquire the benefit of the exclusive right to distribute the Company’s motorcycles and other products in Canada under the Distributorship Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2008, between the Company and Deeley Imports (the “Distribution Agreement”) from the date of the Closing to July 31, 2017. The Distribution Agreement will be terminated immediately after the Closing with the effect that the Company will be the direct distributor of the Company’s motorcycles and other products in Canada following the Closing. In exchange, at the Closing, the Company will pay $50 million to Deeley Imports. In addition, at the Closing, (i) the Company will purchase certain inventory and accounts receivable from Deeley Imports, net of related amounts due, for approximately $15 million, (ii) the Company will assume certain specified liabilities of Deeley Imports, and (iii) the Company will indemnify Deeley Imports for certain expenses and liabilities, including employee severance costs.
	The Purchase Agreement also contemplates that the Company will enter into certain other agreements and documents at the Closing, including, but not limited to, a non-competition agreement with each of Deeley Imports, Donald James, who is an equity owner of Deeley Imports and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and another equity owner of Deeley Imports. In the Purchase Agreement, Deeley Imports makes certain commitments regarding the operation of its business prior to the Closing, and failure to perform can directly impact the purchase price.

Additional_Balance_Sheet_and_C1

Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Available-for-sale: Corporate bonds	$	57,219		$	57,325		$	92,940
	Trading securities: Mutual funds	37,667			33,815			33,182
		$	94,886		$	91,140		$	126,122
Inventories Net	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Components at the lower of FIFO cost or market
	Raw materials and work in process	$	153,734		$	151,254		$	141,381
	Motorcycle finished goods	253,922			230,309			222,649
	Parts and accessories and general merchandise	123,187			117,210			133,740
	Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market	530,843			498,773			497,770
	Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(49,902		)	(49,902		)	(48,726		)
		$	480,941		$	448,871		$	449,044
Reconciliation Of Net Income To Net Cash Used By Operating Activities	The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	269,854		$	265,917
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	46,028			43,398
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	22,932			22,101
	Amortization of financing origination fees	2,215			2,085
	Provision for employee long-term benefits	12,318			8,425
	Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,627		)	(6,879		)
	Stock compensation expense	8,046			9,239
	Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	(465,598		)	(439,422		)
	Provision for credit losses	26,247			20,331
	Deferred income taxes	2,820			(474		)
	Foreign currency adjustments	18,154			(4,172		)
	Other, net	(2,507		)	3,055
	Changes in current assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable, net	(49,936		)	(61,217		)
	Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	2,067			793
	Inventories	(51,934		)	(20,317		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,102			356,430
	Derivative instruments	399			1,222
	Other	35,120			3,071
	Total adjustments	(95,154		)	(62,331		)
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	174,700		$	203,586

Finance_Receivables_Tables

Finance Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance Receivables	Finance receivables, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Retail	$	5,576,558		$	5,607,924		$	5,254,133
	Wholesale	1,404,854			952,321			1,298,091
		6,981,412			6,560,245			6,552,224
	Allowance for credit losses	(132,820		)	(127,364		)	(114,529		)
		$	6,848,592		$	6,432,881		$	6,437,695
Changes In The Allowance For Credit Losses On Finance Receivables	The allowance for credit losses and finance receivables by portfolio, segregated by those amounts that are individually evaluated for impairment and those that are collectively evaluated for impairment, was as follows (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	123,777			9,043			132,820
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	123,777		$	9,043		$	132,820
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,576,558			1,404,854			6,981,412
	Total finance receivables	$	5,576,558		$	1,404,854		$	6,981,412
		31-Dec-14
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	122,025			5,339			127,364
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	122,025		$	5,339		$	127,364
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,607,924			952,321			6,560,245
	Total finance receivables	$	5,607,924		$	952,321		$	6,560,245
		March 30, 2014
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	106,776			7,753			114,529
	Total allowance for credit losses	$	106,776		$	7,753		$	114,529
	Finance receivables, ending balance:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,254,133			1,298,091			6,552,224
	Total finance receivables	$	5,254,133		$	1,298,091		$	6,552,224
	Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables by portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	122,025		$	5,339		$	127,364
	Provision for credit losses	22,543			3,704			26,247
	Charge-offs	(32,733		)	—			(32,733		)
	Recoveries	11,942			—			11,942
	Balance, end of period	$	123,777		$	9,043		$	132,820
		Three months ended March 30, 2014
		Retail			Wholesale			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	106,063		$	4,630		$	110,693
	Provision for credit losses	17,208			3,123			20,331
	Charge-offs	(27,343		)	—			(27,343		)
	Recoveries	10,848			—			10,848
	Balance, end of period	$	106,776		$	7,753		$	114,529
Aging Of Past Due Finance Receivables Including Non-Accrual Status Finance Receivables	An analysis of the aging of past due finance receivables was as follows (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
					Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
											Past Due				Receivables
	Retail	$	5,451,248		$	82,302		$	24,013		$	18,995	$	125,310	$	5,576,558
	Wholesale	1,404,160			443			107			144		694		1,404,854
	Total	$	6,855,408		$	82,745		$	24,120		$	19,139	$	126,004	$	6,981,412
		December 31, 2014
		Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
					Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
											Past Due				Receivables
	Retail	$	5,427,719		$	113,007		$	38,486		$	28,712	$	180,205	$	5,607,924
	Wholesale	951,660			383			72			206		661		952,321
	Total	$	6,379,379		$	113,390		$	38,558		$	28,918	$	180,866	$	6,560,245
		March 30, 2014
		Current			31-60 Days			61-90 Days			Greater than		Total		Total
					Past Due			Past Due			90 Days		Past Due		Finance
											Past Due				Receivables
	Retail	$	5,134,053		$	80,344		$	22,767		$	16,969	$	120,080	$	5,254,133
	Wholesale	1,297,761			144			96			90		330		1,298,091
	Total	$	6,431,814		$	80,488		$	22,863		$	17,059	$	120,410	$	6,552,224
Recorded Investment Of Retail Finance Receivables By Credit Quality Indicator	The recorded investment of retail finance receivables, by credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15			31-Dec-14			30-Mar-14
	Prime	$	4,400,440		$	4,435,352		$	4,128,996
	Sub-prime	1,176,118			1,172,572			1,125,137
	Total	$	5,576,558		$	5,607,924		$	5,254,133
	The recorded investment of wholesale finance receivables, by internal credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15			31-Dec-14			30-Mar-14
	Doubtful	$	1,523		$	954		$	5,508
	Substandard	21,854			7,025			3,888
	Special Mention	—			—			10,950
	Medium Risk	19,634			11,557			11,103
	Low Risk	1,361,843			932,785			1,266,642
	Total	$	1,404,854		$	952,321		$	1,298,091

AssetBacked_Financing_Tables

Asset-Backed Financing (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Secured Debt [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Of Variable Interest Entities	The following table shows the assets and liabilities related to the asset-backed financings that were included in the financial statements (in thousands):
		March 29, 2015
		Finance receivables		Allowance for credit losses			Restricted cash		Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,919,723	$	(43,128	)	$	138,574	$	3,443	$	2,018,612	$	1,770,777
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—		—			—		311		311		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	169,278		(2,999		)	12,057		398		178,734		154,035
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	2,089,001	$	(46,127	)	$	150,631	$	4,152	$	2,197,657	$	1,924,812
		December 31, 2014
		Finance receivables		Allowance for credit losses			Restricted cash		Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,458,602	$	(32,156	)	$	110,017	$	2,987	$	1,539,450	$	1,271,533
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—		—			—		422		422		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	185,099		(2,965		)	12,035		262		194,431		166,912
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,643,701	$	(35,121	)	$	122,052	$	3,671	$	1,734,303	$	1,438,445
		March 30, 2014
		Finance receivables		Allowance for credit losses			Restricted cash		Other assets		Total assets		Asset-backed debt
	On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
	Consolidated VIEs
	Term asset-backed securitizations	$	1,221,855	$	(24,998	)	$	105,536	$	3,083	$	1,305,476	$	1,096,633
	Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility	—		—			—		304		304		—
	Unconsolidated VIEs
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	200,147		(3,257		)	12,347		238		209,475		164,704
	Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities	$	1,422,002	$	(28,255	)	$	117,883	$	3,625	$	1,515,255	$	1,261,337

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis	The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	975,411	$	510,090	$	465,321	$	—
	Marketable securities	94,886		37,667		57,219		—
	Derivatives	49,290		—		49,290		—
		$	1,119,587	$	547,757	$	571,830	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	—	$	1,886	$	—
		31-Dec-14
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	737,024	$	482,686	$	254,338	$	—
	Marketable securities	91,140		33,815		57,325		—
	Derivatives	32,244		—		32,244		—
		$	860,408	$	516,501	$	343,907	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	2,027	$	—	$	2,027	$	—
		March 30, 2014
		Balance		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	602,421	$	359,438	$	242,983	$	—
	Marketable securities	126,122		33,182		92,940		—
	Derivatives	105		—		105		—
		$	728,648	$	392,620	$	336,028	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	3,681	$	—	$	3,681	$	—

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary Of The Fair Value And Carrying Value Of The Company's Financial Instruments	The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15				31-Dec-14				30-Mar-14
		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,168,724	$	1,168,724	$	906,680	$	906,680	$	935,820	$	935,820
	Marketable securities	$	94,886	$	94,886	$	91,140	$	91,140	$	126,122	$	126,122
	Derivatives	$	49,290	$	49,290	$	32,244	$	32,244	$	105	$	105
	Finance receivables, net	$	6,927,898	$	6,848,592	$	6,519,500	$	6,432,881	$	6,531,145	$	6,437,695
	Restricted cash	$	150,631	$	150,631	$	122,052	$	122,052	$	117,883	$	117,883
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	1,886	$	1,886	$	2,027	$	2,027	$	3,681	$	3,681
	Unsecured commercial paper	$	70,329	$	70,329	$	731,786	$	731,786	$	974,153	$	974,153
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	$	154,035	$	154,035	$	166,912	$	166,912	$	164,704	$	164,704
	Medium-term notes	$	4,176,254	$	3,933,337	$	3,502,536	$	3,334,398	$	3,060,408	$	2,859,151
	Term asset-backed securitization debt	$	1,771,363	$	1,770,777	$	1,270,656	$	1,271,533	$	1,099,596	$	1,096,633

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instrument Fair Value	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments (in thousands):
		29-Mar-15									31-Dec-14						30-Mar-14
	Derivatives Designated As Hedging	Notional			Asset			Liability			Notional		Asset		Liability		Notional		Asset		Liability
	Instruments Under ASC Topic 815	Value			Fair  Value(a)			Fair  Value(b)			Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)		Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)
	Foreign currency contracts(c)	$	416,844		$	49,290		$	12		$	339,077	$	32,244	$	—	$	269,342	$	5	$	3,589
	Commodity	1,432			—			220			1,728		—		414		1,167		94		—
	contracts(c)
	Total	$	418,276		$	49,290		$	232		$	340,805	$	32,244	$	414	$	270,509	$	99	$	3,589
		March 29, 2015									December 31, 2014						March 30, 2014
	Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging	Notional			Asset			Liability			Notional		Asset		Liability		Notional		Asset		Liability
	Instruments Under ASC Topic 815	Value			Fair  Value(a)			Fair  Value(b)			Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)		Value		Fair  Value(a)		Fair  Value(b)
	Commodity contracts	$	11,358		$	—		$	1,654		$	11,804	$	—	$	1,613	$	9,348	$	6	$	92
		$	11,358		$	—		$	1,654		$	11,804	$	—	$	1,613	$	9,348	$	6	$	92
	(a)	Included in other current assets
	(b)	Included in accrued liabilities
	(c)	Derivative designated as a cash flow hedge
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax
		Three months ended
	Cash Flow Hedges	March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Foreign currency contracts	$	32,668		$	(1,438	)
	Commodity contracts	(120		)	215
	Total	$	32,548		$	(1,223	)
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
		Three months ended						Expected to be Reclassified
	Cash Flow Hedges	March 29,			March 30,			Over the Next Twelve Months
		2015			2014
	Foreign currency contracts(a)	$	15,276		$	(1,058	)	$	48,050
	Commodity contracts(a)	(315		)	196			(220		)
	Total	$	14,961		$	(862	)	$	47,830
	(a)	Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to income is included in cost of goods sold.
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments (in thousands):
		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
		Three months ended
	Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges	March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts(a)	$	(540	)	$	(328	)
	Total	$	(540	)	$	(328	)
	(a)	Gain/(loss) recognized in income is included in cost of goods sold.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following tables set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) (in thousands):
			Three months ended March 29, 2015
			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Marketable securities			Derivative financial instruments			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Total
	Balance, beginning of period		$	(3,482	)	$	(700	)	$	19,042		$	(529,803	)	$	(514,943	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(29,991		)	(106		)	32,548			—			2,451
	Income tax		2,970			39			(12,057		)	—			(9,048		)
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(27,021		)	(67		)	20,491			—			(6,597		)
	Reclassifications:
	Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)		—			—			(15,276		)	—			(15,276		)
	Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)		—			—			315			—			315
	Prior service credits(b)		—			—			—			(695		)	(695		)
	Actuarial losses(b)		—			—			—			14,670			14,670
	Total before tax		—			—			(14,961		)	13,975			(986		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)		—			—			5,542			(5,177		)	365
	Net reclassifications		—			—			(9,419		)	8,798			(621		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income		(27,021		)	(67		)	11,072			8,798			(7,218		)
	Balance, end of period		$	(30,503	)	$	(767	)	$	30,114		$	(521,005	)	$	(522,161	)
			Three months ended March 30, 2014
			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Marketable securities			Derivative financial instruments			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Total
	Balance, beginning of period		$	33,326		$	(276	)	$	(1,680	)	$	(364,046	)	$	(332,676	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,755			(67		)	(1,223		)	—			465
	Income tax		1,193			25			453			—			1,671
	Net other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		2,948			(42		)	(770		)	—			2,136
	Reclassifications:
	Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)		—			—			1,058			—			1,058
	Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)		—			—			(196		)	—			(196		)
	Prior service credits(b)		—			—			—			(684		)	(684		)
	Actuarial losses(b)		—			—			—			10,322			10,322
	Total before tax		—			—			862			9,638			10,500
	Income tax benefit		—			—			(319		)	(3,570		)	(3,889		)
	Net reclassifications		—			—			543			6,068			6,611
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,948			(42		)	(227		)	6,068			8,747
	Balance, end of period		$	36,274		$	(318	)	$	(1,907	)	$	(357,978	)	$	(323,929	)
	(a)	Amounts reclassified to net income are included in Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold.
	(b)	Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic period cost. See Note 14 for information related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.

Debt_Debt_Tables

Debt Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	Debt with a contractual term greater than one year is generally classified as long-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,			December 31,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2014
	Secured debt
	Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	$	154,035		$	166,912		$	164,704
	Term asset-backed securitization debt	1,770,777			1,271,533			1,096,633
	Unsecured notes
	5.75% Medium-term notes due in 2014 ($500.0 million par value)	—			—			499,906
	1.15% Medium-term notes due in 2015 ($600.0 million par value)	599,886			599,817			599,612
	3.88% Medium-term notes due in 2016 ($450.0 million par value)	449,950			449,937			449,897
	2.70% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)	399,967			399,963			399,950
	1.55% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)	399,510			399,464			—
	6.80% Medium-term notes due in 2018 ($888.0 million par value)	887,424			887,381			909,786
	2.40% Medium-term notes due in 2019 ($600.0 million par value)	597,951			597,836			—
	2.15% Medium-term notes due in 2020 ($600.0 million par value)	598,649			—			—
	Gross long-term debt	5,858,149			4,772,843			4,120,488
	Less: current portion of long-term debt	(1,500,611		)	(1,011,315		)	(848,840		)
	Long-term debt	$	4,357,538		$	3,761,528		$	3,271,648

Debt_Schedule_of_ShortTerm_Deb

Debt Schedule of Short-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Debt with contractual terms less than one year is generally classified as short-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 29,		December 31,		March 30,
		2015		2014		2014
	Unsecured commercial paper	$	70,329	$	731,786	$	974,153

Product_Warranty_and_Safety_Re1

Product Warranty and Safety Recall Campaigns (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Warranty And Safety Recall Liability	Changes in the Company’s warranty and recall liability were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Balance, beginning of period	$	69,250		$	64,120
	Warranties issued during the period	15,111			17,362
	Settlements made during the period	(13,565		)	(11,573		)
	Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities	277			(573		)
	Balance, end of period	$	71,073		$	69,336

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share	$	269,854	$	265,917
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average common shares	210,629		218,986
	Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock compensation plan	1,159		1,507
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	211,788		220,493
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	1.28	$	1.21
	Diluted	$	1.27	$	1.21

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
	Pension and SERPA Benefits
	Service cost	$	10,010		$	7,874
	Interest cost	21,836			21,731
	Expected return on plan assets	(36,232		)	(34,184		)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost	109			279
	Net loss	13,677			9,140
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	9,400		$	4,840
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
	Service cost	$	2,065		$	1,754
	Interest cost	3,541			4,220
	Expected return on plan assets	(2,877		)	(2,607		)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service credit	(804		)	(963		)
	Net loss	993			1,182
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,918		$	3,586

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Selected segment information is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Motorcycles net revenue	$	1,510,570	$	1,571,688
	Gross profit	590,275		592,131
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	244,821		244,439
	Operating income from Motorcycles	345,454		347,692
	Financial Services revenue	162,375		154,360
	Financial Services expense	97,711		91,170
	Operating income from Financial Services	64,664		63,190
	Operating income	$	410,118	$	410,882

Supplemental_Consolidating_Dat1

Supplemental Consolidating Data (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Operations
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	Revenue:
	Motorcycles and Related Products	$	1,512,882		$	—		$	(2,312	)	$	1,510,570
	Financial Services	—			162,690			(315		)	162,375
	Total revenue	1,512,882			162,690			(2,627		)	1,672,945
	Costs and expenses:
	Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	920,295			—			—			920,295
	Financial Services interest expense	—			38,536			—			38,536
	Financial Services provision for credit losses	—			26,247			—			26,247
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	245,135			35,241			(2,627		)	277,749
	Total costs and expenses	1,165,430			100,024			(2,627		)	1,262,827
	Operating income	347,452			62,666			—			410,118
	Investment income	101,322			—			(100,000		)	1,322
	Interest expense	9			—			—			9
	Income before provision for income taxes	448,765			62,666			(100,000		)	411,431
	Provision for income taxes	121,516			20,061			—			141,577
	Net income	$	327,249		$	42,605		$	(100,000	)	$	269,854
		Three months ended March 30, 2014
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	Revenue:
	Motorcycles and Related Products	$	1,573,967		$	—		$	(2,279	)	$	1,571,688
	Financial Services	—			154,686			(326		)	154,360
	Total revenue	1,573,967			154,686			(2,605		)	1,726,048
	Costs and expenses:
	Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	979,557			—			—			979,557
	Financial Services interest expense	—			38,857			—			38,857
	Financial Services provision for credit losses	—			20,331			—			20,331
	Selling, administrative and engineering expense	244,765			34,261			(2,605		)	276,421
	Total costs and expenses	1,224,322			93,449			(2,605		)	1,315,166
	Operating income	349,645			61,237			—			410,882
	Investment income	121,659			—			(120,000		)	1,659
	Interest expense	3,677			—			—			3,677
	Income before provision for income taxes	467,627			61,237			(120,000		)	408,864
	Provision for income taxes	120,573			22,374			—			142,947
	Net income	$	347,054		$	38,863		$	(120,000	)	$	265,917
Balance Sheet
		29-Mar-15
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	764,175		$	404,549		$	—		$	1,168,724
	Marketable securities	57,219			—			—			57,219
	Accounts receivable, net	784,268			—			(503,771		)	280,497
	Finance receivables, net	—			2,357,993			—			2,357,993
	Inventories	480,941			—			—			480,941
	Restricted cash	—			120,428			—			120,428
	Deferred income taxes	42,819			40,700			—			83,519
	Other current assets	128,579			35,905			—			164,484
	Total current assets	2,258,001			2,959,575			(503,771		)	4,713,805
	Finance receivables, net	—			4,490,599			—			4,490,599
	Property, plant and equipment, net	840,354			33,164			—			873,518
	Goodwill	25,632			—			—			25,632
	Deferred income taxes	62,826			10,808			(1,458		)	72,176
	Other long-term assets	117,760			48,943			(78,609		)	88,094
		$	3,304,573		$	7,543,089		$	(583,838	)	$	10,263,824
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	369,143		$	575,548		$	(503,771	)	$	440,920
	Accrued liabilities	398,922			99,563			(1,458		)	497,027
	Short-term debt	—			70,329			—			70,329
	Current portion of long-term debt	—			1,500,611			—			1,500,611
	Total current liabilities	768,065			2,246,051			(505,229		)	2,508,887
	Long-term debt	—			4,357,538			—			4,357,538
	Pension liability	71,263			—			—			71,263
	Postretirement healthcare benefits	199,645			—			—			199,645
	Other long-term liabilities	164,993			25,658			—			190,651
	Shareholders’ equity	2,100,607			913,842			(78,609		)	2,935,840
		$	3,304,573		$	7,543,089		$	(583,838	)	$	10,263,824
		31-Dec-14
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	573,895		$	332,785		$	—		$	906,680
	Marketable securities	57,325			—			—			57,325
	Accounts receivable, net	658,735			—			(411,114		)	247,621
	Finance receivables, net	—			1,916,635			—			1,916,635
	Inventories	448,871			—			—			448,871
	Restricted cash	—			98,627			—			98,627
	Deferred income taxes	50,015			39,901			—			89,916
	Other current assets	142,278			43,125			(2,983		)	182,420
	Total current assets	1,931,119			2,431,073			(414,097		)	3,948,095
	Finance receivables, net	—			4,516,246			—			4,516,246
	Property, plant and equipment, net	848,661			34,416			—			883,077
	Goodwill	27,752			—			—			27,752
	Deferred income taxes	75,121			4,863			(2,149		)	77,835
	Other long-term assets	113,727			39,309			(77,944		)	75,092
		$	2,996,380		$	7,025,907		$	(494,190	)	$	9,528,097
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	171,098		$	436,884		$	(411,114	)	$	196,868
	Accrued liabilities	370,652			83,797			(5,132		)	449,317
	Short-term debt	—			731,786			—			731,786
	Current portion of long-term debt	—			1,011,315			—			1,011,315
	Total current liabilities	541,750			2,263,782			(416,246		)	2,389,286
	Long-term debt	—			3,761,528			—			3,761,528
	Pension liability	76,186			—			—			76,186
	Postretirement healthcare benefits	203,006			—			—			203,006
Other long-term liabilities	164,060			24,745			—			188,805
Shareholders’ equity	2,011,378			975,852			(77,944		)	2,909,286
	$	2,996,380		$	7,025,907		$	(494,190	)	$	9,528,097
	30-Mar-14
	Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Products Operations			Services Operations
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	548,292		$	387,528		$	—		$	935,820
Marketable securities	92,940			—			—			92,940
Accounts receivable, net	1,240,820			—			(915,841		)	324,979
Finance receivables, net	—			2,223,199			—			2,223,199
Inventories	449,044			—			—			449,044
Restricted cash	—			117,883			—			117,883
Other current assets	146,994			69,612			—			216,606
Total current assets	2,478,090			2,798,222			(915,841		)	4,360,471
Finance receivables, net	—			4,214,496			—			4,214,496
Property, plant and equipment, net	789,194			33,867			—			823,061
Prepaid pension costs	250,575			—			—			250,575
Goodwill	30,427			—			—			30,427
Deferred income taxes	3,023			—			—			3,023
Other long-term assets	110,763			12,743			(75,768		)	47,738
	$	3,662,072		$	7,059,328		$	(991,609	)	$	9,729,791
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	377,780		$	992,427		$	(915,841	)	$	454,366
Accrued liabilities	466,685			101,807			(1,737		)	566,755
Short-term debt	—			974,153			—			974,153
Current portion of long-term debt	—			848,840			—			848,840
Total current liabilities	844,465			2,917,227			(917,578		)	2,844,114
Long-term debt	—			3,271,648			—			3,271,648
Pension liability	37,261			—			—			37,261
Postretirement healthcare liability	212,887			—			—			212,887
Deferred income taxes	31,864			2,372			1,737			35,973
Other long-term liabilities	146,641			21,432			—			168,073
Shareholders’ equity	2,388,954			846,649			(75,768		)	3,159,835
	$	3,662,072		$	7,059,328		$	(991,609	)	$	9,729,791
Cash Flows
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	327,249		$	42,605		$	(100,000	)	$	269,854
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	43,947			2,081			—			46,028
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	—			22,932			—			22,932
	Amortization of financing origination fees	—			2,215			—			2,215
	Provision for employee long-term benefits	12,318			—			—			12,318
	Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,627		)	—			—			(6,627		)
	Stock compensation expense	7,381			665			—			8,046
	Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	—			—			(465,598		)	(465,598		)
	Provision for credit losses	—			26,247			—			26,247
	Deferred income taxes	6,594			(3,774		)	—			2,820
	Foreign currency adjustments	18,154			—			—			18,154
	Other, net	(1,893		)	(614		)	—			(2,507		)
	Change in current assets and current liabilities:
	Accounts receivable	(392,593		)	—			342,657			(49,936		)
	Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	—			2,067			—			2,067
	Inventories	(51,934		)	—			—			(51,934		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	241,052			406,607			(342,557		)	305,102
	Derivative instruments	399			—			—			399
	Other	27,082			8,038			—			35,120
	Total adjustments	(96,120		)	466,464			(465,498		)	(95,154		)
	Net cash provided by operating activities	231,129			509,069			(565,498		)	174,700
		Three months ended March 29, 2015
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(37,240		)	(829		)	—			(38,069		)
	Origination of finance receivables	—			(2,008,170		)	1,255,766			(752,404		)
	Collections of finance receivables	—			1,519,934			(790,268		)	729,666
	Other	9			—			—			9
	Net cash used by investing activities	(37,231		)	(489,065		)	465,498			(60,798		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes	—			595,386			—			595,386
	Intercompany borrowing activity	250,000			(250,000		)	—			—
	Proceeds from securitization debt	—			697,591			—			697,591
	Repayments of securitization debt	—			(200,695		)	—			(200,695		)
	Net decrease in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper	—			(661,241		)	—			(661,241		)
	Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	—			16,798			—			16,798
	Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	—			(15,744		)	—			(15,744		)
	Net change in restricted cash	—			(28,579		)	—			(28,579		)
	Dividends paid	(65,467		)	(100,000		)	100,000			(65,467		)
	Purchase of common stock for treasury	(192,700		)	—			—			(192,700		)
	Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	2,207			—			—			2,207
	Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605			—			—			9,605
	Net cash provided by financing activities	3,645			53,516			100,000			157,161
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7,263		)	(1,756		)	—			(9,019		)
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	190,280		$	71,764		$	—		$	262,044
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	$	573,895		$	332,785		$	—		$	906,680
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	190,280			71,764			—			262,044
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	764,175		$	404,549		$	—		$	1,168,724
		Three months ended March 30, 2014
		Motorcycles & Related			Financial			Eliminations &			Consolidated
		Products Operations			Services Operations			Adjustments
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	347,054		$	38,863		$	(120,000	)	$	265,917
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	41,603			1,795			—			43,398
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	—			22,101			—			22,101
Amortization of financing origination fees	59			2,026			—			2,085
Provision for employee long-term benefits	8,425			—			—			8,425
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	(6,879		)	—			—			(6,879		)
Stock compensation expense	8,550			689			—			9,239
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	—			—			(439,422		)	(439,422		)
Provision for credit losses	—			20,331			—			20,331
Deferred income taxes	3,159			(3,633		)	—			(474		)
Foreign currency adjustments	(4,172		)	—			—			(4,172		)
Other, net	(496		)	3,551			—			3,055
Change in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(387,875		)	—			326,658			(61,217		)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other	—			793			—			793
Inventories	(20,317		)	—			—			(20,317		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	290,208			392,880			(326,658		)	356,430
Derivative instruments	1,222			—			—			1,222
Other	1,770			1,301			—			3,071
Total adjustments	(64,743		)	441,834			(439,422		)	(62,331		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	282,311			480,697			(559,422		)	203,586
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(24,691		)	(1,190		)	—			(25,881		)
Origination of finance receivables	—			(1,992,601		)	1,234,636			(757,965		)
Collections of finance receivables	—			1,502,645			(795,214		)	707,431
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities	6,001			—			—			6,001
Other	51			—			—			51
Net cash used by investing activities	(18,639		)	(491,146		)	439,422			(70,363		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	(303,000		)	—			—			(303,000		)
Repayments of securitization debt	—			(159,938		)	—			(159,938		)
Net increase in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper	—			307,803			—			307,803
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	—			13,746			—			13,746
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	—			(16,981		)	—			(16,981		)
Net change in restricted cash	—			26,924			—			26,924
Dividends paid	(60,527		)	(120,000		)	120,000			(60,527		)
Purchase of common stock for treasury	(87,690		)	—			—			(87,690		)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	4,763			—			—			4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	8,894			—			—			8,894
Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities	(437,560		)	51,554			120,000			(266,006		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,268			(1,277		)	—			1,991
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(170,620	)	$	39,828		$	—		$	(130,792	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	$	718,912		$	347,700		$	—		$	1,066,612
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(170,620		)	39,828			—			(130,792		)
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	548,292		$	387,528		$	—		$	935,820

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Use_1

Basis Of Presentation And Use Of Estimates Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of businss segments	2

New_Accounting_Standards_Debt_

New Accounting Standards Debt Issuance Cost (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	$19.10

Recovered_Sheet1

Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Marketable Securities) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	$57,219	$57,325	$92,940
Trading Securities	37,667	33,815	33,182
Marketable Securities	$94,886	$91,140	$126,122

Additional_Balance_Sheet_and_C2

Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Gross unrealized gains (losses)	($106,000)	($67,000)
Gross unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes	($67,000)	($42,000)
Contractual maturities period of marketable securities, minimum (in months)	1 month
Contractual maturities period of marketable securities, maximum (in months)	25 months

Recovered_Sheet2

Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Inventories, Net) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials and work in process	$153,734	$151,254	$141,381
Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market	530,843	498,773	497,770
Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	-49,902	-49,902	-48,726
Inventories, net	480,941	448,871	449,044
Motorcycle Finished Goods [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	253,922	230,309	222,649
Parts and Accessories Finished Goods [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$123,187	$117,210	$133,740

Recovered_Sheet3

Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Reconciliation Of Net Income To Net Cash Used By Operating Activities) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$269,854	$265,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	46,028	43,398
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	22,932	22,101
Amortization of financing origination fees	2,215	2,085
Provision for employee long-term benefits	12,318	8,425
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	-6,627	-6,879
Stock compensation expense	8,046	9,239
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	-465,598	-439,422
Provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	2,820	-474
Foreign currency adjustments	18,154	-4,172
Other, net	-2,507	3,055
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-49,936	-61,217
Finance receivables-accrued interest and other	2,067	793
Inventories	-51,934	-20,317
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,102	356,430
Derivative instruments	399	1,222
Other	35,120	3,071
Total adjustments	-95,154	-62,331
Net cash provided by operating activities	$174,700	$203,586

Finance_Receivables_Finance_Re

Finance Receivables (Finance Receivables) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$6,981,412	$6,560,245	$6,552,224
Allowance for credit losses	-132,820	-127,364	-114,529	-110,693
Total Finance Receivables, Net	6,848,592	6,432,881	6,437,695
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	5,576,558	5,607,924	5,254,133
Allowance for credit losses	-123,777	-122,025	-106,776	-106,063
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,404,854	952,321	1,298,091
Allowance for credit losses	($9,043)	($5,339)	($7,753)	($4,630)

Finance_Receivables_Narrative_

Finance Receivables (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	$0	$0	$0
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	19,139,000	28,918,000	17,059,000
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Wholesale finance receivables, gross	19,000,000	28,700,000	17,000,000
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	18,995,000	28,712,000	16,969,000
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	144,000	206,000	90,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	0	0
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member] | Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	$0	$0	$0

Finance_Receivables_Changes_In

Finance Receivables (Changes In Allowance For Credit Losses On Finance Receivables) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	$26,247	$20,331
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	127,364	110,693
Charge-offs	-32,733	-27,343
Recoveries	11,942	10,848
Balance, end of period	132,820	114,529
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	22,543	17,208
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	122,025	106,063
Charge-offs	-32,733	-27,343
Recoveries	11,942	10,848
Balance, end of period	123,777	106,776
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	3,704	3,123
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	5,339	4,630
Charge-offs	0	0
Recoveries	0	0
Balance, end of period	$9,043	$7,753

Finance_Receivables_Allowance_

Finance Receivables (Allowance For Credit Losses And Finance Receivables By Portfolio Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	$0	$0	$0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	132,820,000	127,364,000	114,529,000
Total allowance for credit losses	132,820,000	127,364,000	114,529,000	110,693,000
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	6,981,412,000	6,560,245,000	6,552,224,000
Total Finance Receivables	6,981,412,000	6,560,245,000	6,552,224,000
Wholesale [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	9,043,000	5,339,000	7,753,000
Total allowance for credit losses	9,043,000	5,339,000	7,753,000	4,630,000
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,404,854,000	952,321,000	1,298,091,000
Total Finance Receivables	1,404,854,000	952,321,000	1,298,091,000
Retail [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	123,777,000	122,025,000	106,776,000
Total allowance for credit losses	123,777,000	122,025,000	106,776,000	106,063,000
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,576,558,000	5,607,924,000	5,254,133,000
Total Finance Receivables	5,576,558,000	5,607,924,000	5,254,133,000
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member] | Wholesale [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	$0	$0	$0

Finance_Receivables_Aging_Of_P

Finance Receivables (Aging Of Past Due Finance Receivables Including Non Accrual Status Finance Receivables) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	$6,855,408	$6,379,379	$6,431,814
31-60 Days Past Due	82,745	113,390	80,488
61-90 Days Past Due	24,120	38,558	22,863
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	19,139	28,918	17,059
Total Past Due	126,004	180,866	120,410
Total Finance Receivables	6,981,412	6,560,245	6,552,224
Retail [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	5,451,248	5,427,719	5,134,053
31-60 Days Past Due	82,302	113,007	80,344
61-90 Days Past Due	24,013	38,486	22,767
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	18,995	28,712	16,969
Total Past Due	125,310	180,205	120,080
Total Finance Receivables	5,576,558	5,607,924	5,254,133
Wholesale [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	1,404,160	951,660	1,297,761
31-60 Days Past Due	443	383	144
61-90 Days Past Due	107	72	96
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	144	206	90
Total Past Due	694	661	330
Total Finance Receivables	$1,404,854	$952,321	$1,298,091

Finance_Receivables_Recorded_I

Finance Receivables (Recorded Investment Of Retail and Wholesale Finance Receivables By Credit Quality Indicator) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$6,981,412	$6,560,245	$6,552,224
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	5,576,558	5,607,924	5,254,133
Retail [Member] | Prime [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	4,400,440	4,435,352	4,128,996
Retail [Member] | Sub-Prime [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,176,118	1,172,572	1,125,137
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,404,854	952,321	1,298,091
Wholesale [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,523	954	5,508
Wholesale [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	21,854	7,025	3,888
Wholesale [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	0	0	10,950
Wholesale [Member] | Risk Level, Medium [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	19,634	11,557	11,103
Wholesale [Member] | Risk Level, Low [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$1,361,843	$932,785	$1,266,642

AssetBacked_Financing_Narrativ

Asset-Backed Financing (Narrative) (Detail)	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
	Secured Notes Through One Term Asset-backed Securitization Transaction [Member]	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Third-party Bank [Member]	Third-party Bank [Member]	Third-party Bank [Member]
	Secured Debt [Member]	Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]	Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]
	USD ($)	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE [Member]	Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE [Member]	Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE [Member]
		USD ($)	USD ($)	CAD	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	SPEs [Member]	SPEs [Member]	SPEs [Member]
					USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$700,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				200,000,000			600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		5 years
Borrowings outstanding under conduit facility							0	0	0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount		24,700,000
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition		19,200,000	15,700,000
Cash Flows Between Transferor and Transferee, Proceeds from New Transfers					$16,800,000	$13,800,000

AssetBacked_Financing_Assets_A

Asset-Backed Financing (Assets And Liabilities Of Variable Interest Entities) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	$2,089,001,000	$1,422,002,000	$1,643,701,000
Financing Receivable [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	1,919,723,000	1,221,855,000	1,458,602,000
Financing Receivable [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	0	0	0
Financing Receivable [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	169,278,000	200,147,000	185,099,000
Allowance for Credit Loss [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Associated Liabilities, Carrying Amount	-46,127,000	-28,255,000	-35,121,000
Allowance for Credit Loss [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Associated Liabilities, Carrying Amount	-43,128,000	-24,998,000	-32,156,000
Allowance for Credit Loss [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Associated Liabilities, Carrying Amount	0	0	0
Allowance for Credit Loss [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Associated Liabilities, Carrying Amount	-2,999,000	-3,257,000	-2,965,000
Restricted Cash [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	150,631,000	117,883,000	122,052,000
Restricted Cash [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	138,574,000	105,536,000	110,017,000
Restricted Cash [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	0	0	0
Restricted Cash [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	12,057,000	12,347,000	12,035,000
Other Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	4,152,000	3,625,000	3,671,000
Other Assets [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	3,443,000	3,083,000	2,987,000
Other Assets [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	311,000	304,000	422,000
Other Assets [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	398,000	238,000	262,000
Assets, Total [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	2,197,657,000	1,515,255,000	1,734,303,000
Assets, Total [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	2,018,612,000	1,305,476,000	1,539,450,000
Assets, Total [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	311,000	304,000	422,000
Assets, Total [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	178,734,000	209,475,000	194,431,000
Asset-backed debt [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	1,924,812,000	1,261,337,000	1,438,445,000
Asset-backed debt [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	1,770,777,000	1,096,633,000	1,271,533,000
Asset-backed debt [Member] | Asset-backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | SPEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	0	0	0
Asset-backed debt [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Assets, Carrying Amount	154,035,000	164,704,000	166,912,000
Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Foreign Line of Credit [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition	19,200,000	15,700,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Foreign Line of Credit [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash Flows Between Transferor and Transferee, Proceeds from New Transfers	$16,800,000	$13,800,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements (Summary Of Assets And Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Repossessed Assets	$14,500,000	$13,400,000	$15,200,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Balance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	975,411,000	737,024,000	602,421,000
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	94,886,000	91,140,000	126,122,000
Derivative Asset, Current	49,290,000	32,244,000	105,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,119,587,000	860,408,000	728,648,000
Derivatives, liabilities	1,886,000	2,027,000	3,681,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	510,090,000	482,686,000	359,438,000
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	37,667,000	33,815,000	33,182,000
Derivative Asset, Current	0	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	547,757,000	516,501,000	392,620,000
Derivatives, liabilities	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	465,321,000	254,338,000	242,983,000
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	57,219,000	57,325,000	92,940,000
Derivative Asset, Current	49,290,000	32,244,000	105,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	571,830,000	343,907,000	336,028,000
Derivatives, liabilities	1,886,000	2,027,000	3,681,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Derivative Asset, Current	0	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Derivatives, liabilities	0	0	0
Fair value, adjustment [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Repossessed Assets	$3,500,000	$5,000,000	$3,500,000

Recovered_Sheet4

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Summary Of Fair Value And Carrying Value Of Company Financial Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Restricted cash	$120,428	$98,627	$117,883
Fair Value [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	1,168,724	906,680	935,820
Marketable securities	94,886	91,140	126,122
Derivatives	49,290	32,244	105
Finance receivables, net	6,927,898	6,519,500	6,531,145
Restricted cash	150,631	122,052	117,883
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,886	2,027	3,681
Carrying Value [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	1,168,724	906,680	935,820
Marketable securities	94,886	91,140	126,122
Derivatives	49,290	32,244	105
Finance receivables, net	6,848,592	6,432,881	6,437,695
Restricted cash	150,631	122,052	117,883
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,886	2,027	3,681
Unsecured Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	70,329	731,786	974,153
Unsecured Commercial Paper [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	70,329	731,786	974,153
Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	154,035	166,912	164,704
Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	154,035	166,912	164,704
Medium-term Notes [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	4,176,254	3,502,536	3,060,408
Medium-term Notes [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	3,933,337	3,334,398	2,859,151
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	1,771,363	1,270,656	1,099,596
Secured Debt [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,770,777	$1,271,533	$1,096,633

Recovered_Sheet5

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Derivative Instrument Fair Value) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$418,276		$340,805		$270,509
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	49,290	[1]	32,244	[1]	99	[1]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	232	[2]	414	[2]	3,589	[2]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	416,844	[3]	339,077	[3]	269,342	[3]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	49,290	[1],[3]	32,244	[1],[3]	5	[1],[3]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	12	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	3,589	[2],[3]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,432	[3]	1,728	[3]	1,167	[3]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]	94	[1],[3]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	220	[2],[3]	414	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	11,358		11,804		9,348
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	0	[1]	0	[1]	6	[1]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	1,654	[2]	1,613	[2]	92	[2]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	11,358		11,804		9,348
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	0	[1]	0	[1]	6	[1]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	$1,654	[2]	$1,613	[2]	$92	[2]
[1]	Included in other current assets
[2]	Included in accrued liabilities
[3]	Derivative designated as a cash flow hedge

Recovered_Sheet6

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Gain Loss On Derivative Cash Flow Hedges Recognized In OCI) (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax	$32,548	($1,223)
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax	32,668	-1,438
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax	($120)	$215

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed2

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Gain Loss On Derivative Cash Flow Hedges Reclassified From AOCI Into Income) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015		Mar. 30, 2014
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income	$14,961		($862)
Expected to be Reclassified Over the Next Twelve Months	47,830
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income	15,276	[1]	-1,058	[1]
Expected to be Reclassified Over the Next Twelve Months	48,050	[1]
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income	-315	[1]	196	[1]
Expected to be Reclassified Over the Next Twelve Months	-220	[1]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Loss	-540		-328
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Loss	($540)	[2]	($328)	[2]
[1]	Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to income is included in cost of goods sold.
[2]	(a)Gain/(loss) recognized in income is included in cost of goods sold.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Changes In Other Comprehensinve Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015		Mar. 30, 2014		Jun. 29, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	($514,943)		($332,676)		($514,943)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	2,451		465
Income tax	9,048		-1,671
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-6,597
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-986
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications, Tax	-365		3,889
Net reclassifications	-621
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-7,218
Balance, end of period	-522,161		-323,929		-514,943
Prior Service Costs [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	695	[1]	684	[1]
Actuarial Losses [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-14,670	[1]	-10,322	[1]
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	15,276	[2]	-1,058	[2]
Commodity Contract [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-315	[2]	196	[2]
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			33,326		-3,482
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-29,991		1,755
Income tax	-2,970		-1,193
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-27,021
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications, Tax	0		0
Net reclassifications	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-27,021
Balance, end of period	-30,503				-3,482
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			-276		-700
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-106		-67
Income tax	-39		-25
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-67
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications, Tax	0		0
Net reclassifications	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-67
Balance, end of period	-767				-700
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			-1,680		19,042
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	32,548		-1,223
Income tax	12,057		-453
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	20,491
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-14,961
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications, Tax	-5,542		319
Net reclassifications	-9,419
Other comprehensive (loss) income	11,072
Balance, end of period	30,114				19,042
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	15,276	[2]	-1,058	[2]
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-315	[2]	196	[2]
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			-364,046		-529,803
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	0		0
Income tax	0		0
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	13,975
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications, Tax	5,177		3,570
Net reclassifications	8,798
Other comprehensive (loss) income	8,798
Balance, end of period	-521,005				-529,803
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Prior Service Costs [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	695		684
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Actuarial Losses [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	($14,670)		($10,322)
[1]	Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic period cost. See Note 14 for information related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.
[2]	Amounts reclassified to net income are included in Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold.

Debt_Debt_Debt_With_Contractua

Debt Debt (Debt With Contractual Term Less Than One Year)(Details) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$70,329	$731,786	$974,153
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$70,329	$731,786	$974,153

Debt_Debt_Debt_With_A_Contract

Debt Debt (Debt With A Contractual Term Greater Than One Year) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$70,329,000	$731,786,000	$974,153,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	-1,500,611,000	-1,011,315,000	-848,840,000
Long-term debt	4,357,538,000	3,761,528,000	3,271,648,000
Gross Long-term Debt	5,858,149,000	4,772,843,000	4,120,488,000
Medium-Term Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.75%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.15%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	450,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.88%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.70%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.55%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	888,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.80%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.40%
Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%
Secured Debt [Member] | Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	154,035,000	166,912,000	164,704,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	1,770,777,000	1,271,533,000	1,096,633,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Secured Notes Through One Term Asset-backed Securitization Transaction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	700,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	0	0	499,906,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	599,886,000	599,817,000	599,612,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	449,950,000	449,937,000	449,897,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	399,967,000	399,963,000	399,950,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2017 1.55 rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	399,510,000	399,464,000	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	887,424,000	887,381,000	909,786,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	597,951,000	597,836,000	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Long-term Debt	598,649,000	0	0
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Medium-term Notes [Member] | Medium-Term Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company issued secured notes	$600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax rate	34.40%	35.00%

Recovered_Sheet7

Product Warranty And Safety Recall Campaigns (Warranty And Safety Recall Liability) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$69,250	$64,120
Warranties issued during the period	15,111	17,362
Settlements made during the period	-13,565	-11,573
Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities	277	-573
Balance, end of period	$71,073	$69,336

Recovered_Sheet8

Product Warranty And Safety Recall Campaigns (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Motorcycles [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Standard product warranty, period	2 years
Parts and Accessories Finished Goods [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Standard product warranty, period	1 year
Japan [Member] | Motorcycles [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Standard product warranty, period	3 years
Safety Recall [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Liability for safety recall campaigns	7.7	$9.80	$3.30

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Net income	$269,854	$265,917
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average common shares	210,629	218,986
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock compensation plan	1,159	1,507
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding	211,788	220,493
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.28	$1.21
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.27	$1.21

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Detail) (Stock Option [Member])	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares considered anti-dilutive and excluded from computation	0.7	0.6

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Pension Plans and Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$10,010	$7,874
Interest cost	21,836	21,731
Expected return on plan assets	-36,232	-34,184
Prior service cost	109	279
Net loss	13,677	9,140
Net periodic benefit cost	9,400	4,840
Postretirement Healthcare Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2,065	1,754
Interest cost	3,541	4,220
Expected return on plan assets	-2,877	-2,607
Prior service cost	-804	-963
Net loss	993	1,182
Net periodic benefit cost	$2,918	$3,586

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Company contributions	$0

Business_Segments_Information_

Business Segments (Information By Strategic Business Units) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	$1,510,570	$1,571,688
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	277,749	276,421
Financial Services revenue	162,375	154,360
Operating income	410,118	410,882
Motorcycles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles net revenue	1,510,570	1,571,688
Gross profit	590,275	592,131
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	244,821	244,439
Operating income	345,454	347,692
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial Services revenue	162,375	154,360
Financial services expense	97,711	91,170
Operating income	$64,664	$63,190

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of businss segments	2

Commitment_And_Contingencies_D

Commitment And Contingencies (Detail) (York, Pennsylvania Facility [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
York, Pennsylvania Facility [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Site contingency third party cost percentage of total cost	53.00%
Site contingency portion of total cost	47.00%

Supplemental_Consolidating_Dat2

Supplemental Consolidating Data (Operations) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and Related Products	$1,510,570	$1,571,688
Financial Services	162,375	154,360
Total revenue	1,672,945	1,726,048
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	920,295	979,557
Financial Services interest expense	38,536	38,857
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	26,247	20,331
Provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	277,749	276,421
Total costs and expenses	1,262,827	1,315,166
Operating income	410,118	410,882
Investment income	1,322	1,659
Interest expense	9	3,677
Income before provision for income taxes	411,431	408,864
Provision for income taxes	141,577	142,947
Net income	269,854	265,917
Motorcycles And Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and Related Products	1,512,882	1,573,967
Financial Services	0	0
Total revenue	1,512,882	1,573,967
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	920,295	979,557
Financial Services interest expense	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	0
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	245,135	244,765
Total costs and expenses	1,165,430	1,224,322
Operating income	347,452	349,645
Investment income	101,322	121,659
Interest expense	9	3,677
Income before provision for income taxes	448,765	467,627
Provision for income taxes	121,516	120,573
Net income	327,249	347,054
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and Related Products	0	0
Financial Services	162,690	154,686
Total revenue	162,690	154,686
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	0	0
Financial Services interest expense	38,536	38,857
Provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	35,241	34,261
Total costs and expenses	100,024	93,449
Operating income	62,666	61,237
Investment income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income before provision for income taxes	62,666	61,237
Provision for income taxes	20,061	22,374
Net income	42,605	38,863
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Motorcycles and Related Products	-2,312	-2,279
Financial Services	-315	-326
Total revenue	-2,627	-2,605
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold	0	0
Financial Services interest expense	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	0
Selling, administrative and engineering expense	-2,627	-2,605
Total costs and expenses	-2,627	-2,605
Operating income	0	0
Investment income	-100,000	-120,000
Interest expense	0	0
Income before provision for income taxes	-100,000	-120,000
Provision for income taxes	0	0
Net income	($100,000)	($120,000)

Supplemental_Consolidating_Dat3

Supplemental Consolidating Data (Balance Sheet) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,168,724	$906,680	$935,820	$1,066,612
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	57,219	57,325	92,940
Accounts receivable, net	280,497	247,621	324,979
Finance receivables, net	2,357,993	1,916,635	2,223,199
Inventories	480,941	448,871	449,044
Restricted cash	120,428	98,627	117,883
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	83,519	89,916	89,070
Other current assets	164,484	182,420	216,606
Total current assets	4,713,805	3,948,095	4,360,471
Finance receivables, net	4,490,599	4,516,246	4,214,496
Property, plant and equipment, net	873,518	883,077	823,061
Prepaid Pension Costs	0	0	250,575
Goodwill	25,632	27,752	30,427
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	72,176	77,835	3,023
Other long-term assets	88,094	75,092	47,738
Total assets	10,263,824	9,528,097	9,729,791
Accounts payable	440,920	196,868	454,366
Accrued liabilities	497,027	449,317	566,755
Short-term debt	70,329	731,786	974,153
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	1,500,611	1,011,315	848,840
Total current liabilities	2,508,887	2,389,286	2,844,114
Long-term debt	4,357,538	3,761,528	3,271,648
Pension liability	71,263	76,186	37,261
Postretirement healthcare benefits	199,645	203,006	212,887
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent	0	0	35,973
Other long-term liabilities	190,651	188,805	168,073
Total shareholders' equity	2,935,840	2,909,286	3,159,835
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	10,263,824	9,528,097	9,729,791
Motorcycles And Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	764,175	573,895	548,292	718,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	57,219	57,325	92,940
Accounts receivable, net	784,268	658,735	1,240,820
Finance receivables, net	0	0	0
Inventories	480,941	448,871	449,044
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	42,819	50,015
Other current assets	128,579	142,278	146,994
Total current assets	2,258,001	1,931,119	2,478,090
Finance receivables, net	0	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	840,354	848,661	789,194
Prepaid Pension Costs			250,575
Goodwill	25,632	27,752	30,427
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	62,826
Other long-term assets	117,760	113,727
Total assets	3,304,573	2,996,380	3,662,072
Accounts payable	369,143	171,098	377,780
Accrued liabilities	398,922	370,652	466,685
Short-term debt	0	0	0
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	768,065	541,750	844,465
Long-term debt	0	0	0
Pension liability	71,263	76,186	37,261
Postretirement healthcare benefits	199,645	203,006	212,887
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent			146,641
Other long-term liabilities	164,993	164,060	31,864
Total shareholders' equity	2,100,607	2,011,378	2,388,954
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,304,573	2,996,380	3,662,072
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	404,549	332,785	387,528	347,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Finance receivables, net	2,357,993	1,916,635	2,223,199
Inventories	0	0	0
Restricted cash	120,428	98,627	117,883
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	40,700	39,901
Other current assets	35,905	43,125	69,612
Total current assets	2,959,575	2,431,073	2,798,222
Finance receivables, net	4,490,599	4,516,246	4,214,496
Property, plant and equipment, net	33,164	34,416	33,867
Prepaid Pension Costs			0
Goodwill	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	10,808
Other long-term assets	48,943	39,309
Total assets	7,543,089	7,025,907	7,059,328
Accounts payable	575,548	436,884	992,427
Accrued liabilities	99,563	83,797	101,807
Short-term debt	70,329	731,786	974,153
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	1,500,611	1,011,315	848,840
Total current liabilities	2,246,051	2,263,782	2,917,227
Long-term debt	4,357,538	3,761,528	3,271,648
Pension liability	0	0	0
Postretirement healthcare benefits	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent			21,432
Other long-term liabilities	25,658	24,745	2,372
Total shareholders' equity	913,842	975,852	846,649
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	7,543,089	7,025,907	7,059,328
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	-503,771	-411,114	-915,841
Finance receivables, net	0	0	0
Inventories	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	0	0
Other current assets	0	-2,983	0
Total current assets	-503,771	-414,097	-915,841
Finance receivables, net	0	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	0
Prepaid Pension Costs			0
Goodwill	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	-1,458
Other long-term assets	-78,609	-77,944
Total assets	-583,838	-494,190	-991,609
Accounts payable	-503,771	-411,114	-915,841
Accrued liabilities	-1,458	-5,132	-1,737
Short-term debt	0	0	0
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	-505,229	-416,246	-917,578
Long-term debt	0	0	0
Pension liability	0	0	0
Postretirement healthcare benefits	0	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent			0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	1,737
Total shareholders' equity	-78,609	-77,944	-75,768
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($583,838)	($494,190)	($991,609)

Supplemental_Consolidating_Dat4

Supplemental Consolidating Data (Cash Flows) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	$2,820	($474)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	269,854	265,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	46,028	43,398
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	22,932	22,101
Amortization Of Financing Origination Fees	2,215	2,085
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	12,318	8,425
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	-6,627	-6,879
Stock compensation expense	8,046	9,239
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	-465,598	-439,422
Provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Foreign currency adjustments	18,154	-4,172
Other, net	-2,507	3,055
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-49,936	-61,217
Finance receivables-accrued interest and other	2,067	793
Inventories	-51,934	-20,317
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,102	356,430
Derivative instruments	399	1,222
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expenses, Other	-35,120	-3,071
Total adjustments	-95,154	-62,331
Net cash provided by operating activities	174,700	203,586
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-38,069	-25,881
Origination of finance receivables	-752,404	-757,965
Collections of finance receivables	729,666	707,431
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities	0	6,001
Other	9	51
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities	-60,798	-70,363
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	0	-303,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	595,386	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany Borrowing Activity	0
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	697,591	0
Repayments of Securitization Debt	-200,695	-159,938
borrowings of asset backed commercial paper	16,798	13,746
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	-661,241	307,803
Net repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	15,744
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	-15,744	-16,981
Net change in restricted cash	-28,579	26,924
Dividends paid	-65,467	-60,527
Purchase of common stock for treasury	-192,700	-87,690
Excess tax benefits from share based payments	2,207	4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605	8,894
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper	16,798	13,746
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	157,161	-266,006
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-9,019	1,991
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	262,044	-130,792
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	906,680	1,066,612
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	262,044	-130,792
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	1,168,724	935,820
Motorcycles And Related Products Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	6,594	3,159
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	327,249	347,054
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	43,947	41,603
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	0	0
Amortization Of Financing Origination Fees	0	59
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	12,318	8,425
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	-6,627	-6,879
Stock compensation expense	7,381	8,550
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	0
Foreign currency adjustments	18,154	-4,172
Other, net	-1,893	-496
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-392,593	-387,875
Finance receivables-accrued interest and other	0	0
Inventories	-51,934	-20,317
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	241,052	290,208
Derivative instruments	399	1,222
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expenses, Other	-27,082	-1,770
Total adjustments	-96,120	-64,743
Net cash provided by operating activities	231,129	282,311
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-37,240	-24,691
Origination of finance receivables	0	0
Collections of finance receivables	0	0
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities		6,001
Other	9	51
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities	-37,231	-18,639
Repayments of Unsecured Debt		-303,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany Borrowing Activity	250,000
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	0
Repayments of Securitization Debt	0	0
borrowings of asset backed commercial paper	0	0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	0	0
Net repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	0
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper		0
Net change in restricted cash	0	0
Dividends paid	-65,467	-60,527
Purchase of common stock for treasury	-192,700	-87,690
Excess tax benefits from share based payments	2,207	4,763
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	9,605	8,894
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	3,645	-437,560
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-7,263	3,268
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	190,280	-170,620
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	573,895	718,912
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	190,280	-170,620
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	764,175	548,292
Financial Services Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	-3,774	-3,633
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	42,605	38,863
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	2,081	1,795
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	22,932	22,101
Amortization Of Financing Origination Fees	2,215	2,026
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	0	0
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	0	0
Stock compensation expense	665	689
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	0	0
Provision for credit losses	26,247	20,331
Foreign currency adjustments	0	0
Other, net	-614	3,551
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	0	0
Finance receivables-accrued interest and other	2,067	793
Inventories	0	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	406,607	392,880
Derivative instruments	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expenses, Other	-8,038	-1,301
Total adjustments	466,464	441,834
Net cash provided by operating activities	509,069	480,697
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-829	-1,190
Origination of finance receivables	-2,008,170	-1,992,601
Collections of finance receivables	1,519,934	1,502,645
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities		0
Other	0	0
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities	-489,065	-491,146
Repayments of Unsecured Debt		0
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	595,386
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany Borrowing Activity	-250,000
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	697,591
Repayments of Securitization Debt	-200,695	-159,938
borrowings of asset backed commercial paper	16,798	13,746
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	-661,241	307,803
Net repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	15,744
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper		-16,981
Net change in restricted cash	-28,579	26,924
Dividends paid	-100,000	-120,000
Purchase of common stock for treasury	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share based payments	0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	0	0
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	53,516	51,554
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,756	-1,277
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	71,764	39,828
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	332,785	347,700
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	71,764	39,828
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	404,549	387,528
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Medium-term Notes	0
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	-100,000	-120,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	0	0
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	0	0
Amortization Of Financing Origination Fees	0	0
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	0	0
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans	0	0
Stock compensation expense	0	0
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales	-465,598	-439,422
Provision for credit losses	0	0
Foreign currency adjustments	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	342,657	326,658
Finance receivables-accrued interest and other	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-342,557	-326,658
Derivative instruments	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expenses, Other	0	0
Total adjustments	-465,498	-439,422
Net cash provided by operating activities	-565,498	-559,422
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Origination of finance receivables	1,255,766	1,234,636
Collections of finance receivables	-790,268	-795,214
Sales and redemptions of marketable securities		0
Other	0	0
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities	465,498	439,422
Repayments of Unsecured Debt		0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany Borrowing Activity	0
Proceeds from Securitization Debt	0
Repayments of Securitization Debt	0	0
borrowings of asset backed commercial paper	0	0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Credit Facility and Other Unsecured Debt	0	0
Net repayments of asset-backed commercial paper	0
Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper		0
Net change in restricted cash	0	0
Dividends paid	100,000	120,000
Purchase of common stock for treasury	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share based payments	0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans	0	0
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities	100,000	120,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$0	$0