v2.4.0.6

Other Intangible Assets, Changes in Net Carrying Amount (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Gross amount |  |
Other intangible assets, beginning | $ 34,256 | $ 3,147
Intangible assets acquired during the period | 20,369 | 31,106
Foreign currency translation effect on balances | 282 | 3
Other intangible assets, ending | 54,907 | 34,256
Accumulated amortization |  |
Other intangible assets, beginning | (1,206) | (188)
Other intangible assets acquired during the period |  |
Amortization expense | (2,787) | (1,018)
Foreign currency translation effect on balances | (22) |
Other intangible assets, ending | $ (4,015) | $ (1,206)

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization, Acquired During Period + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pii_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationAcquiredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | pii_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization, Foreign Currency Translation Effect + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pii_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignCurrencyTranslationEffect
Namespace Prefix: | pii_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | pii_IntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | pii_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pii_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | pii_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(2) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life acquired. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGrossAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for foreign currency translation adjustments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration