As the title says, are they cartridge forks or damping rod forks?

I really don't like how the XT handles on the road, the suspension is too soft. I'm thinking that I might use a new set of springs for the front and maybe change the preload on the rear? (haven't touched it, and I've had the bike for... almost 4 years). It's somewhat scary how much the bike dives when braking or how much the rear end sags when I get in the throttle, and that makes it extremely unforgiving and tricky to ride it hard.

What rate of springs does it have? Is the KEV spacer enough to get the front end composed, what about different oil weights?

I weight about 220 pounds with all my gear on, I really doubt that the XT is properly sprung for my weight.

BUT, there is a catch. I didn't got the XT to take it off road, I got it because of how bad some roads within Mexico City are. There are some roads I won't dare to ride on my other bikes...

So I want to get the XT to handle better, but I don't want to make the suspension harsher. The XT is my first DP bike, so I don't really know if the suspension is fine or what. I'm familiar with sportbike suspensions, but there are no adjusters on the XT's suspension, and I really doubt that setting up the sag is the same than on a sportbike.