How so? I get held up more by traffic than you do by console gamers. Not the best analogy, but speed limits are based around what is a safe speed for the average driver. So if we made higher safety requirements for cars (like Germany) and had a much more difficult driving test (like Norway), wouldn't only the people who could drive 100+mph and know what to do when hydroplaning be on the roads? And the roads would have much higher speed limits? Again, not a perfect analogy, but it kinda works.

You talk about danger, but there is a metric shit ton of safety equipment at any reasonable racing event. Every event I have been to (including a university held autocross in which no car was getting higher than 40mph in a controlled environment) involved an inspection of the car, required full safety gear (including helmets), and had run off areas if you lost control. Car and bike guys know how risky these things can be, so we try to limit the risk as much as possible.

Hell, look at the fatality rates for Moto GP. These guys are pushing bikes (so no protective cage around them) to the 1% of the 1% for dozens of laps. They crash all the time and serious injuries are rare due to good track and suit design.

You talk about cost, but it's the same argument console gamers use: $300 xbox is cheaper than a 2 grand PC which is faulty because a) don't need a 2 grand pc and b) you'll need a computer anyways to do your taxes/reddit on. Same thing with performance vehicles. My SV650S was $1900. A good miata can be found under 3 grand. Both of these can be used for a daily driver and replace the $18,000+ corolla that's consider a bottom-end car. (if you want to go into details about cheap cars I can, but both of these vehicles are considered quite good for what they are.)

Oh and you mention armor? Join us at /r/Volvo . My C30 can do about 130 mph stock. Remove limiter + cheap tune: about 150mph and 0 to 60 in about 6.5 seconds. Not bad for a tank.

Finally, nothing can replicate the feeling of driving a car/bike to the limit. No video game can replicate the seat of the pants feeling of everything working and the risk involved. I can't feel the heat from the engine, the wind rushing by, or the shift of weigh compressing the front suspension as my car dives into a corner which I have to balance with the throttle letting on power as the wheels scream in agony...

P.S. Sorry about the essay. I just get this analogy a lot here and I wished more people were more accepting of the automotive and motorcycling communities.